The deadly 2025 Sumatra floods, which killed 914 people, were not just due to heavy rain but driven by deforestation and palm oil expansion. Despite government denial, affected areas remain cut off with little access to aid.
Hat Yai’s flood became a man-made disaster as ignored drainage warnings, weak leadership, and false “safety” alerts deepened the damage and broke public trust. Slow relief and the PM’s late admission underscore the need for urgent reform of Thailand’s disaster governance.
At the 2025 Global Investigative Journalism Conference, 1,500 reporters shared insights on climate, public health, and independent media. Dunia focused on environmental crime, carbon offsets, and cross-border collaboration shaping today’s investigative reporting.