Thailand — humanitarian situation

Thailand continues to experience recurring monsoon-driven flooding, primarily affecting northern and northeastern provinces. Between mid-August and late August 2026, flooding impacted nine provinces including Phayao, Nan, Mae Hong Son, Sukhothai, Phitsanulok, Phetchabun, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, and Ubon Ratchathani (Thai Red Cross). As of 24 August, flooding remained ongoing in five provinces—Nan, Sukhothai, Phitsanulok, Ubon Ratchathani, and Kanchanaburi—affecting 11 districts, 22 sub-districts, and 90 villages, with 1,997 households comprising 6,134 people still affected (Thai Red Cross, IFRC). The floods have caused three fatalities, all in Nan Province, which has been the hardest-hit area. The meteorological situation is compounded by a monsoon trough extending across northern Thailand and Lao PDR, combined with a strong Southwest Monsoon over the Bay of Bengal, Andaman Sea, and Gulf of Thailand (AHA Centre). Additionally, Tropical Cyclone NARRA tracked near the northern Vietnam coast on 23 August, adding to regional meteorological instability. Thailand's position within the broader regional context includes hosting refugees from Myanmar, part of the 5.2 million refugees and asylum-seekers in the Asia and Pacific region UNHCR. The region experienced a 2% increase in forcibly displaced populations by end-2025, with the total population of concern to UNHCR reaching 17.6 million people UNHCR. Regionally, approximately 290 million children in East Asia and the Pacific are exposed to multiple extreme climate hazards, increasing vulnerability to climate-related disasters UNICEF. Response operations have been conducted by Thai authorities and the Thai Red Cross, who have been monitoring the flood situation closely and carrying out relief operations where necessary. The continued forecast of rainfall in affected areas suggests the flooding situation may persist or escalate in the coming period. While specific funding figures for Thailand's flood response are not detailed in available sources, regional humanitarian operations face resource constraints, as indicated by broader Asia and Pacific funding updates issued by UNHCR as of 31 July 2026.