Hat yai: The Institute of Forensic Science has taken a significant step in identifying individuals affected by the recent flooding in Hat Yai. Dr. Weerakit Hanpariphan, Director of the Institute, participated in a flood situation monitoring meeting at the 42nd Military Circle Battalion in Songkhla Province. The meeting was led by General Ukrit Boontanon, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, and included representatives from various agencies such as the Department of Provincial Administration, the Provincial Waterworks Authority, and the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation.
According to Thai News Agency, approximately 70 percent of cell towers in the area are operational. Plans are in place to restore the urban area by December 10, 2025, by dividing it into four zones for efficient restoration. Efforts include supplying clean water, clearing roads of debris, and ensuring nighttime operations through adequate lighting. There is also a focus on returning bodies to relatives promptly and accurately.
In the medical sphere, a team of child and adolescent psychiatrists, along with psychiatric nurses and psychologists, has been deployed to the field hospital at Prince of Songkla University Shelter. The hospital is currently accommodating 30 patients, with plans to expand its capacity to 150 beds. The medical team is actively conducting MCATT screenings and providing necessary care, while doctors from the Forensic Clinical Group support the field hospital with essential medications.
Mr. Arun Suknuam, Provincial Justice Officer, has set up a missing persons reporting point within the Central Database of Missing Persons and Unidentified Corpses system. This one-stop service center, in collaboration with various departments, is facilitating the collection of DNA samples from relatives of missing persons to aid in identification. Forensic doctors, along with a division focused on developing the Missing Persons and Unidentified Corpse Identification System, are working to expedite the autopsy process in collaboration with Prince of Songkla University and the Ministry of Public Health.
Dr. Weerakit highlighted the significant loss faced by many families who are still unable to perform funeral rites due to flooded homes and temples. This has led to a backlog of bodies, not due to slow processing by officials, but because families are not ready to receive the bodies. Temporary storage has been arranged, and all agencies are striving to manage within the available capacity.
The Director assured the public that identification processes are progressing smoothly, with fingerprinting and data recording linking to the Department of Provincial Administration system for verification. Continuous efforts by medical teams and officials are ongoing, with the Prime Minister making several visits to urge expedited assistance to the affected families, aiming to alleviate their stress and suffering.