Thai Family Survives 48 Hours on Floating Furniture as Deadly Floods Devastate South Thailand

Post by : Saif Nasser

Severe floods in southern Thailand have brought death, destruction and fear to thousands of people, with one family’s terrifying 48-hour struggle showing how desperate the situation became. In Hat Yai, a major city in Songkhla province, eight members of the Amphorn Kaeophengkro family survived by clinging to floating furniture after floodwaters rose too quickly for them to escape.

The disaster hit last Saturday when water rushed into their home before they could react. The family ran to the second floor, thinking they would be safe. But the water kept rising and soon covered most of the upper level. With no electricity and the entire house filling with water, the family had to sit on anything that could hold their weight — a table, a window frame, and even a washing machine. For 48 long hours, they waited in darkness, holding candles and trying to stay out of the cold water.

The 44-year-old mother, Amphorn, said the only thought they had was survival. They were not thinking about food, belongings, or damage. They were only worried about keeping everyone alive. She explained that they had to lift their feet at times to avoid keeping them too long in the rising water. Some pieces of furniture even started floating, leaving the family with only a few safe spots to sit.

The floods affecting nine provinces have caused 162 deaths so far, with 126 of them in Songkhla alone. Hat Yai experienced a record-breaking 335 millimetres of rain in just two days — the highest amount reported there in 300 years. Such heavy rainfall pushed the city into crisis, and many residents said they did not receive proper warnings from the authorities. Without these alerts, families were caught off guard inside their homes, with few ways to escape as the water rose.

Thousands of people have been evacuated to emergency shelters as the floods destroyed homes, damaged roads, and cut off electricity. Many areas in Hat Yai and nearby towns are still without power, and officials say it is unclear when it will be restored. For now, families like Amphorn’s are trying to clean their homes and assess the damage while dealing with the emotional shock from their near-death experience.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s government is facing growing criticism for its response to the disaster. Residents and community groups are questioning why early warnings were not sent and why rescue efforts were delayed. After the backlash, the national government removed Hat Yai’s district chief and transferred the police chief, signalling that failures in local management played a role in the crisis.

Amid the darkness and rising waters, Amphorn and her family tried to stay connected with their neighbours by calling out to each other from their homes. Even small conversations gave them courage during the long hours when help seemed far away.

The floods in southern Thailand are a painful reminder of how quickly natural disasters can overwhelm communities. As the water slowly recedes, families are left with damaged homes, emotional trauma, and serious questions about why the disaster response was not stronger. For now, survivors are trying to rebuild their lives and hold on to hope after witnessing one of the most severe floods in Hat Yai’s history.