Phuket has had a rough week of weather. Flash floods and a debris flow hit Patong in the early hours of Monday 26 October 2026, and more heavy rain on 28–29 October brought fresh flooding across the island, a new landslide in Patong and evacuation warnings in Karon. Most of Phuket is still open for visitors, but some streets near the hills have been closed or put on watch. If you are in Phuket now or arriving in the next few days, this guide covers what happened, which areas to avoid, and what to do if the rain returns.
Last reviewed: 30 October 2026. Checked against reports from Thai PBS World, The Phuket News, The Nation, Thaiger and warnings from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) and the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD). Conditions are changing day by day.
At a glance
- What happened: after days of heavy rain, a landslide and flash flood struck Patong at about 02:00 on 26 October. Mud, rocks and water swept into streets around Soi Nanai 5 and Soi Nanai 8, damaging homes, shops, hotels, cars and motorbikes.
- Damage: more than 100 households and businesses in Patong were affected. Preliminary damage was put at about 100 million baht. Phuket has declared emergency disaster areas so that relief funds can be released.
- Tourists: Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said on 29 October that no tourist injuries had been reported. Some visitors were moved to safer places during the flooding, and many have since returned to their accommodation.
- Still on watch: Na Nai 3 Road in Patong was closed on 29 October after another landslide. The DDPM issued an urgent evacuation warning for Patak sois 2, 4 and 6 in Karon.
- Weather: the TMD expects rain in the South to ease, but on 30 October it still forecast thunderstorms over 60% of the Andaman coast, including Phuket, with waves around 2 metres.
What happened, day by day
26 October (Monday). According to the Department of Mineral Resources, a landslide and flash flood began at about 02:00. The department classified it as a debris flow: granite fragments of 10–60 cm, gravel and sand travelled down the road from the hillside, broke a check dam and spread into homes around Soi Nanai 5 and Soi Nanai 8. A weather station in Kata recorded cumulative rainfall of 340.5 mm. The department blamed a mix of geology (deeply weathered granite that holds water) and persistent rain. Local officials and a university expert have also pointed to construction on the slopes above Patong. That debate is ongoing.
27–28 October. Crews cleared mud and debris, and on 28 October Patong Municipality confirmed that Nanai Road and the route to Khai Muk Roundabout had reopened to normal traffic. The provincial DDPM warning for floods, landslides, strong winds and high waves was extended through 29 October. Khok Tanode Road in Karon flooded, and a severed high-voltage line caused a power cut near Karon. That evening, about two hours of heavy rain hit Soi Nanai 3 and Soi Nanai 8 in Patong as well as Kalim, Kata Noi and parts of Phuket Town.
29 October (Thursday). At 08:00, MCOT Phuket reported flooding at 21 locations across the island, including Chalong, Rawai, Kata, Karon and Phuket Town. Several roads in Chalong, including the Wat Tai intersection, were impassable to small vehicles. Karon Municipality temporarily closed Khok Tanot Road. In Patong, a landslide sent soil and rocks onto Na Nai 3 Road, which was closed. The mayor ordered residents of high-risk areas to evacuate, and shuttle vehicles were provided from Na Nai 3 and Na Nai 8. The DDPM sent Cell Broadcast warnings to phones through AIS, True and NT, both for Karon's Patak sois and for low-lying areas near the rising Bang Yai Canal in Phuket Town.
30 October (Friday). The TMD's daily warning covered thunderstorms, gusty winds and possible flash floods in 41 provinces. On Phuket's side of the coast it forecast heavy rain in Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi and Trang. Its outlook to 3 November calls for scattered thundershowers with isolated heavy rain.
Areas to treat with care
These are the places named in official warnings and local reports. Avoid them during or after heavy rain and do not go sightseeing there:
- Patong: Soi Nanai 3, 5 and 8, the Nanai Road hillside, the Wang Khi-on waterfall area and "Khao 50 Pi", the hill on 50 Pi Road.
- Karon and Kata: Patak sois 2, 4 and 6 (evacuation warning), Khok Tanot/Khok Tanode Road, and low ground around Kata Noi.
- Chalong and Rawai: Wat Tai intersection, Chalong Circle drainage area and nearby streets, which flood quickly.
- Phuket Town: low-lying areas near Bang Yai Canal and the Tha Kraeng area near Suan Luang Park.
Most beaches, hotels, the old town and the airport road were not named in these warnings. Still, roads anywhere on the island can flood for a few hours after a downpour.
Practical checklist for visitors
- Ask your hotel. If you are staying near the hills in Patong, Karon or Kata, ask the front desk whether your street is in a warning zone and where the nearest shelter is.
- Know the shelters. Patong: Wat Suwan Khiri Wong (Wat Patong). Karon: Ban Kata School and Wat Suwan Khirikhet (Wat Karon).
- Do not drive or ride through floodwater. Officials warn that you cannot judge depth or current from a photo. Motorbikes are especially at risk, and mud left behind is slippery.
- Stay out of the sea in rough weather. The provincial warning told people not to swim or take part in water activities during strong winds and waves. Respect red flags and ask before any boat trip.
- Keep away from fallen power lines and do not touch electrical equipment in standing water.
- Keep essentials ready: passport, medication, a charged phone and power bank, drinking water and some cash, in a small bag you can grab quickly.
- Watch for phone alerts. Warnings go out by Cell Broadcast through Thai networks. A working Thai mobile connection, whether a local SIM or a Thailand eSIM you set up before landing, also keeps maps and messaging running when you need to change plans.
- Allow extra time to the airport. Leave early for flights, as roads may slow down or flood after heavy rain, and check your flight status with your airline.
- Check your insurance. Keep photos and receipts if your belongings or a rental vehicle are damaged.
Emergency numbers
- 191 – police emergency
- 1155 – Tourist Police (English-speaking)
- 1784 – DDPM disaster hotline
- 1672 – TAT call centre
- 076-211111 or 199 – Phuket City Municipality disaster office; municipal hotline 1132
- 076-330913 – Karon Municipality disaster division (24 hours)
- 076-385-789 – Kamala Subdistrict Administrative Organisation
Patong Municipality is taking damage reports and relief applications until 6 November. A centre at Wat Patong opened on 29 October, and registration also runs from 09:00 to 16:30 at the municipality's Senior Citizens' Club building. This is mainly for residents and businesses.
Should you cancel your trip?
The government expects the economic impact to be limited and does not believe the floods will lead visitors to postpone trips. The Andaman high season usually starts in November, when rain tends to ease. If you have an upcoming booking, we have not seen any official advice against travel to Phuket as a whole. Keep an eye on the forecast, stay flexible about day trips and boat tours, and choose accommodation away from steep slopes if you are worried. If your plans involve visas or how long you can stay, for example because a flight is delayed, check your permitted stay and confirm any extension with Thai Immigration in good time.
Sources
- Thai PBS World, "Phuket hit by another landslide as Patong mayor orders evacuations" (29 October 2026): https://www.thaipbsworld.com/around-thailand/571833
- The Phuket News, "Overnight rain brings more Phuket flooding" (29 October 2026): https://www.thephuketnews.com/overnight-rain-brings-more-phuket-flooding-102052.php
- The Phuket News, "Phuket rain warning extended as Karon floods, Patong roads reopen" (28 October 2026): https://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-rain-warning-extended-as-karon-floods-patong-roads-reopen-102046.php
- The Phuket News, "Patong landslide blame game as illegal construction comes under scrutiny" (29 October 2026): https://www.thephuketnews.com/patong-landslide-blame-game-as-illegal-construction-comes-under-scrutiny-102059.php
- NBT World, "Government Expedites Flood Relief and Insurance Payments in Phuket" (28 October 2026): https://thainews.prd.go.th/nbtworld/news/view/2447115/?bid=1
- The Nation via The Star, "Thai department issues urgent evacuation warning over Phuket landslide risk" (30 October 2026): https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2026/10/30/thai-department-issues-urgent-evacuation-warning-over-phuket-landslide-risk
- Thaiger, "Tourism minister orders tourist assistance amid Phuket flooding" (29 October 2026): https://thethaiger.com/news/phuket/tourism-minister-orders-tourist-assistance-phuket-flooding
- The Nation, "TMD warns of thunderstorms across 41 provinces on Oct 30" (30 October 2026): https://www.nationthailand.com/news/general/40072909
- Thai Meteorological Department, 7-day forecast: https://www5.tmd.go.th/en/forecast/sevenday
Image: View of Patong, Phuket. Photo by QLDGold, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0.
Editorial note: Foreigner's Thailand is an independent editorial guide. This article summarises official warnings and news reports and is not an official safety notice. Always follow instructions from local authorities. For questions about visas or your permitted stay, confirm with Thai Immigration or your embassy.