Penang Volunteers Continue Aid Mission for Thai Flood Victims

Penang teams screened during Thailand relief mission- Picture from Social Media

More than 50 Malaysian volunteers from Penang are staying on in Hat Yai, Thailand, to assist local communities following severe flooding in November that stranded thousands of residents and tourists.

The volunteers, from several Penang-based associations including the Bukit Mertajam Voluntary Safety Association, Berapit Volunteer Firefighter Association, Juru Volunteer Firefighter Association, Blue Sky Rescue Malaysia, and CERT Georgetown, initially entered Hat Yai on Nov 23 with over 20 rescue vehicles, medical kits, and dry food supplies to evacuate Malaysians trapped by the floods.

“Our initial mission was to rescue all Malaysians stranded in Hat Yai, and we even allocated two buses to return them to Butterworth and Bukit Mertajam,” said Ng Keok Seng, a volunteer from the Bukit Mertajam association. With the Malaysians now safely evacuated, the volunteers decided to stay on to support Thai communities in their post-flood recovery, helping distribute food, clothing, and essential supplies.

Malaysia’s Ambassador to Thailand, Datuk Wan Zaidi Wan Abdullah, praised the volunteers’ dedication. “I am happy Malaysians continue to provide assistance and remain here to help the Thai people. The Thais have always been kind to everyone, and at this moment, they truly need support,” he said. According to Thai authorities, the November floods claimed over 145 lives and affected approximately 3.54 million people in southern Thailand.