The Southern part of Thailand, a region with tropical climate and monsoon, has often been affected  by torrential rains caused by tropical storms, depressions, and typhoons. Such heavy rain is often  accompanied by flash floods – sometimes occuring so suddenly and with an enormous amount of water –  that make them particularly dangerous. Hence, flash flood warnings are important to prevent flash flood  hazards from becoming disasters.These warnings can give individuals the much needed information that can  help them decide whether to evacuate or not, thus reducing casualties and losses.

This research examined the factors that affected the individuals’ and households’ decisions to  evacuate in case of a flash flood. Results showed that individuals with higher probability of evacuation prior  or during a flash flood had received flash flood warning; had information about the meeting places in the  villages; had higher income; and were female.At the household level, the probability of both male and  female members agreeing not to evacuate decreased with the proportion of young children in the  household and if the head of the household was female. Also at the household level, the probability of both  male and female members agreeing to evacuate increased with the proportion of young children in the  household.

These findings give rise to some policy implications. First, because people at risk from flash  floods are concerned about their evacuation destination, the government should provide emergency public  shelters before, during, and after a flash flood. As women and families with young children are more likely to  evacuate, the emergency shelters should cater to their needs. To assist vulnerable groups such as females,  young children, the elderly, and disabled, authorized personnel should be stationed along main evacuation  routes during evacuations to direct the residents away from the emergency areas.

Residents in the flash flood hazard areas in Nakhon Si Thammarat preferred two-way radio, but very  of them have access to this channel or type of warning channel. The government could step in to ensure  that these areas have access to two-way radio sets as well as conventional warning receivers, such as mobile  phone, television, and radio.