Social media highlight families with young children surviving on scraps, contaminated water, unpredictable rain and stalled rescue efforts
PETALING JAYA: Stranded on the upper floors of a flooded hotel in Hat Yai, southern Thailand, Ahmad Hazril Ahmad Zaki and 33 other Malaysians – including toddlers, a pregnant woman and a child with autism – cling to dwindling food, no electricity and contaminated water, begging for rescue that has yet to arrive.
Hazril’s friend, Nur Dini Shahira, has been posting desperate updates on TikTok to alert authorities and the public of the group’s plight.
The group remains trapped at Kosit Hotel in central Hat Yai where floodwaters have submerged the lobby and continue rising, now reaching the height of an entire floor.
“They’ve been waving white and red flags from their windows, begging for help. But until now, not a single rescue team has reached them,” said Nur Dini.
The hotel initially relied on a generator but on Sunday floodwaters disabled it, plunging the building into total darkness.
Electricity has now been out for days, and clean water has been unavailable since Saturday.
“Food supplies are almost gone. All they have left are peanuts and a few slices of bread. Some children haven’t eaten properly for days,” she added.
Attempts to deliver food on Saturday night failed when rescue boats capsized in the strong currents.
Only residents in lower buildings could salvage supplies using buckets and ropes, while those on higher floors remain unreachable.
Nur Dini said repeated calls to both Malaysian and Thai authorities have yielded little response.
“Those in Kosit Hotel have received no help while the Lee Garden area in downtown Hat Yai has received only minimal assistance,” she said.
With phones and power banks nearly dead, the group fears losing contact entirely.
“If the batteries die, we will not be able to reach them again.”
As of 12.30pm Malaysian time yesterday, floodwaters had briefly receded but rose again after heavy rain returned, said Nur Dini, stressing that they remain trapped and desperate for aid.
For other Malaysians in Hat Yai, the situation remains grim. Norfariza Taib, 32, who travelled with her family for work and training last Tuesday, said many Malaysians booked through travel agencies are stranded in low-lying hotels with no electricity, water or adequate food.
While fortunate to be in a hotel opposite Hat Yai Central Mall, one of the few dry areas, she said her husband contacted the Malaysian Embassy via WhatsApp but received no response.
Those attempting to reach the border face long waits, often transferring between multiple vehicles on submerged roads, sometimes paying Thai truck operators for the ride.
“Floodwaters are unpredictable. Two days ago they receded, but now they are rising again. Some areas remain completely inaccessible and people are desperate,” said Norfariza.”
Volunteer firefighters from Sungai Petani, representing a local Chinese association, have delivered food by boat, but such help is limited.
“Even though our hotel stayed dry, we are anxious. We just hope to return home safely once conditions improve,” she added.
For those still trapped at Kosit Hotel, every passing hour is a fight for survival. Nur Dini continues updating social media, pleading for attention and action.
“I worry for them every day. At night they said it’s pitch dark, raining heavily, with no food or clean water. I can’t imagine being in their place.
“The group remains stuck on the hotel’s upper floors, waiting for rescue boats or any food aid. I really hope this reaches the authorities. Please help them. They’ve been asking for help since Friday.”
For Ahmad Hazril and the 33 others trapped, their last battery-powered phones are lifelines.
They cling to them desperately, praying someone arrives before another night of darkness and rising floodwaters closes in.
As of Nov 25, figures from the Malaysian Immigration Department show that more than 6,300 Malaysians have crossed the border and returned safely from Thailand.
The Foreign Ministry said it has stepped up emergency coordination as severe flooding continues to affect Hat Yai and surrounding districts.
The ministry added that the Malaysian Consulate General in Songkhla and Malaysian Embassy in Bangkok are monitoring the situation and working with Thai authorities to assist affected Malaysians.
