Flood-hit Hat Yai, Thailand, is grappling with a mounting waste crisis as residents struggle to recover from the December 2025 floods. The city's streets are littered with piles of rotting waste, creating a noxious smell that permeates the air. The aftermath of the floods has left many homes and businesses with damaged belongings, from wooden furniture to plastic debris and even chilled meat, which has begun to spoil. The situation is particularly dire in areas lacking access to water for cleaning.
To address the growing waste problem, over 100 garbage trucks have been deployed to clear the streets. However, the scale of the cleanup operation is immense, with estimates suggesting it could take a week or more to clear the backlog. Drone footage reveals vast mountains of rubbish covering an area of at least 10 rai.
The waste is being transported to a temporary dumping site at Saphan Dam Intersection on Phetkasem Road, where it is then sent to the city's main landfill for disposal. This includes household items, business goods, and even produce from local markets like Kim Yong Market. The waste is being sorted into three categories: general waste, hazardous waste, and recyclables, but the sheer volume has made proper separation challenging.
The Hat Yai Municipality estimates that it will take at least a week to clear all the waste from the communities. The Ko Taeo landfill, located 30 km away, has the capacity to handle the influx and process the waste for electricity generation at the waste-to-energy plant. However, the Emergency Health Network of the Department of Health has raised concerns about public hygiene, as the foul smells spread through nearby areas.
Health officials are implementing disinfection and deodorization measures at temporary waste sites. They have also explained that the prolonged accumulation of waste produces hydrogen sulphide gas, causing discomfort for residents and motorists. To mitigate this, officials are using microbial solutions and regularly spraying water to speed up decomposition and reduce the unpleasant odours.
