Most of the more than 6,300 stranded Malaysians are back home after the country opened its hotels to those stranded in flooded Hat Yai, basically giving people a “hotel rescue mission.” Not a typical ending to a flood story.
Hat Yai is usually a vibrant city in Southern Thailand with plenty of eateries, shopping and many Malaysians taking short weekend trips; however, overnight it went from a vibrant city to a city that was knee-deep in floodwaters. Authorities labelled Hat Yai an “emergency situation,” which means “very serious.”
Unlike other countries who would spend hours in endless meetings and write an array of memorandums, the Malaysian Government opened its operations centre in Putrajaya, activated its operations centre and immediately coordinated with its embassy in Bangkok and consulate in Songkhla; coming up with a quickly basically simple and extremely collaborative plan to rescue stranded Malaysians.
- Book hotel rooms
- Move stranded Malaysians to the hotels
- Maintain an open evacuation line
By the time the floodwaters receded, over 6,300 stranded Malaysians have successfully made their way home. Those still there were temporarily housed in high-rise hotels awaiting pickup.
Thailand’s Perspective
While the Thai government, led by Prime Minister Anutin, was sending in heavy machinery and additional personnel to assist with rescue operations, all locations that had not been reached by rescue crews were promised immediate assistance if requested by anyone in that area.
By the Way, You’re Not the Only Ones
Malaysia didn’t only evacuate its own citizens from the disaster; they also provided assistance to Hat Yai residents. This was a very positive development and highlights an example of cross-border compassion that often does not make the news.
What Were the Effects of the Flood?
According to the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department of Thailand, the statistics reveal:
- more than 1200 families were evacuated
- 16 sub-districts were affected
- nearly 700,000 residents of the province were impacted.
This is not just a small-town flooding event; it was a catastrophic event affecting an entire region.
The Importance of Hat Yai
As it is adjacent, Hat Yai has long served as a getaway for people in Malaysia, providing a source of entertainment (bus tours, train rides, weekend shopping). As a result, the bond that invests both regions is greater than that of two neighbouring countries. As such, when floods struck Hat Yai, Malaysia was quick to respond.
What We Learn
Everyday we are shown that disaster doesn’t distinguish between regions – and therefore, help does not need to be bound by borders. From boats to bulldozers and, most unexpectedly, freshly made beds in hotel rooms, assistance can be provided in many ways.
