PSU Pattani A Story of Strength, Solidarity, and the Power of the Human Spirit though the Flooding in Southern Thailand
As the situation worsened, the rain no longer felt like a passing storm. It poured down with an overwhelming force. On the morning of 24 November, Asst. Prof. Dr. Bordin Waelateh, Vice President for Student Development and Alumni Affairs, convened an urgent meeting. That meeting became the turning point. After the meeting, the Disaster Relief Command Center was swiftly established at the La-Mae Sa Mi Lae Building. Almost immediately, the center transformed into the beating heart of the entire response, a place where worries were heard, problems were solved, and help was sent out to those who needed it most. At the same time, the suspension of on-campus teaching and work-from-home arrangements was officially extended until 28 November, placing the safety and well-being of the PSU family above all else. And even though the campus grew unusually quiet, its hallways empty and its classrooms dark, the spirit of PSU only grew louder. It echoed in every effort, every message, and every act of care that connected the community during those difficult days.
Preparedness and Early Response
As the first warnings of rising waters reached the campus, PSU Pattani moved swiftly to protect the community. Even before the floodwaters crept closer, all classes were shifted online, and staff were allowed to work from home so that no one would need to travel through dangerous conditions. Communication became the lifeline of the early response. Updates were shared continuously across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Line, both in Thai and English, so that every student, lecturers, and staff whether local or international, could clearly understand the situation and remain connected despite the physical distance. All the information, The university addressed growing concerns about the news around the campus, explaining the causes openly so that no one felt confused or left behind. These early measures helped create a sense of calm amid uncertainty and laid a strong foundation for the cooperation that would soon follow. In the days that followed, as floodwaters continued to swell around Pattani, the rhythm of PSU Pattani changed in quiet but powerful ways. The first step was to look inward, to understand how students were coping and what support they needed. Executives, led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Montira and Asst. Prof. Dr. Bordin, and together with the deans of each faculties of PSU Pattani Campus met with students not in formal meeting rooms but in small, heartfelt conversations. They listened carefully, eased worries, and reassured everyone that no one would walk through this difficult week alone. It was the beginning of a shared effort to stay connected, calm, and informed.
Asst.Prof.Dr. Bordin Waelateh revealed that; “We have stationed a dedicated team at the university’s main water pumping station to monitor the situation around the clock, 24 hours a day. The opening and closing of the floodgates are carefully supervised by the Division of Physical Systems and Environment, Pattani Campus, to prevent prolonged flooding within the university. These efforts reflect how thoroughly we have prepared—not only to protect our campus, but also to help safeguard the surrounding communities from the impact of the flood.”
Emergency Relief and Support During the Crisis
Once the floodwaters reached their peak, the university’s focus naturally shifted toward active support. What began as small acts of care soon grew into a powerful network of organized relief efforts. Student clubs, faculty members, village leaders, community groups, and volunteers stood side by side to prepare warm meals and essential supplies. The halal kitchens buzzed with constant activity. Between 27 November and 1 December, more than 6,500 ready-to-eat meal boxes and 640 dozen bottles of drinking water were produced and delivered to affected areas. In addition, the student club of the Faculty of Science and Technology prepared 300 extra meal boxes specifically to support students stranded by the flooding. Moreover, PSU Pattani students and staff visited shelters in Paka Luesong, Pondok Tuyong, and community nearby the PSU, delivering food and water directly to displaced families. Meanwhile, Asst. Prof. Dr. Aruneewan Buaneaw, Vice President for Research and Social Mission, together with PSU students, travelled to PSU Hat Yai to support the relief center there. At Songklanagarind Hospital, nursing students from the Faculty of Nursing, Pattani Campus, the “Warriors in White”, worked shoulder to shoulder with medical teams to take care of flood victims.
Ms. Nisuraida Nimu, Deputy Dean for Risk Management and Social Mission, Faculty of Nursing, Pattani Campus, shared: “The Faculty of Nursing, Pattani Campus sent a team of 40 nursing students and 7 instructors to support the mission at Songklanakarind Hospital, Hat Yai. Together with medical teams from the Provincial Public Health Office and the Faculty of Nursing, Khon Kaen University, they took care of more than 120–130 flood victims. Although most of our students were only in their second year and had not yet worked in real clinical settings, this mission proved that the heart is always ready before experience. They adapted quickly, worked with dedication, and learned patient management, communication, and psychological support in a real crisis. This was a lesson no textbook could ever teach.”
Community partnerships further strengthened the response. Village leaders from Don Rak, local housewives’ groups, and the Pattani Tourism Industry Council joined forces with PSU students to cook, pack, and deliver meals across the province. On 29 November, PSU Pattani welcomed Mr. Pimchanok Pankawong Na Ayuthaya from the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (MDES) to discuss the establishment of a communication war room to enhance coordination throughout the crisis. Besides, together with the PATTANI Strategic Research Area for Poverty Alleviation and Social Mobility (Pattani SRA), relief efforts continued without pause. On 1 December, the university delivered 150 essential relief packages to four communities—Bue Ting Haji Mae, Jeraneibong, Manang Yong, and A-noh Su-Nga—supporting families as they faced the immediate aftermath of the storm.
Dr. Ainee Aedasong, Researcher and Head of Pattani SRA, revealed: “The ‘Traditional Massaman Egg Curry’ project was developed during the severe flooding at the end of 2023 and early 2024, when many communities faced limited access to food. We worked with the community to find food that could be accessed easily, consumed quickly, resist spoilage, and still match local tastes. This led to the development of a simple, low-cost, ready-to-eat meal that later became a vital resource in times of disaster.”
More PSU student teams were dispatched that same day to clean childcare centers, support local foundations, and reach communities that remained difficult to access. The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences contributed another 120 HUSO CARE relief bags, including adult diapers, specifically for elderly and bedridden residents in severely affected areas. Throughout these intense days, volunteers including students, staff, and local partners moved constantly, carrying meals, water, blankets, and encouragement to those in need. Even in the darkest hours, the sense of togetherness never faded.
Mr. Mondayla Moleng, a student from the Faculty of Communication Sciences and a member of the Student Council working group, shared: “This year, I had the opportunity to help flood victims. What stood out most was how everyone came together without waiting for instructions. Once help was needed, everyone showed up. Last year, I was a flood victim. This year, I became a helper. When I saw the smiles of villagers and the excitement of children, all the exhaustion suddenly felt meaningful. Some lessons cannot be taught in a classroom. Real action showed me how powerful giving can be. It opened my eyes to another side of society and created a culture of volunteerism within our university.”
Post-Flood Recovery and Rehabilitation
When the waters finally began to recede, the work did not slow down, it transformed. The focus shifted from emergency relief to restoring dignity, stability, and normalcy. On 2 December, teams from the university and various faculties began large-scale cleanup operations at Yaring Hospital, restoring critical areas so medical services could resume safely. The following day, more than 60 volunteers from the Faculty of Islamic Sciences and local youth groups worked together to rehabilitate Ban Pakaharung School, one of the most flood-affected schools in the area.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Aruneewan Buaneaw, Vice President for Research and Social Mission, reflected: “More than ten teams from PSU helped clean different sections of the hospital and remove damaged furniture. What impressed me most was how deeply our motto—‘Our Soul is for the Benefit of Mankind’—has shaped the hearts of our staff and students. They carry it as part of who they are.”
Asst. Prof. Dr. Warapark Maitreephun, Assistant Vice President for Research and Social Mission, Pattani Campus, added: “Today’s activity brought together executives, instructors, professional staff, and students from many faculties. It truly reflects our organizational culture and our shared commitment to serving society. We believe the hospital will soon be able to reopen its services, and we send our encouragement to all medical personnel as they resume their vital work for the people of Yaring.”
Still, recovery efforts continued into the first week of December. Student leaders from Political Science, the Faculty of Communication Sciences, and the Division of Student Development opened a halal kitchen and worked alongside the Mirror Foundation to clean community spaces and homes. The Raks Thai Foundation also utilized the Disaster Relief Command Center as a hub for distributing aid. On 5 December, the university’s library team brought books and joy to children at Ban Don Rak School through a “Sharing Books, Sharing Smiles” activity. Meanwhile, Communication Sciences students and the Mirror Foundation travelled daily to Hat Yai, with 30 volunteers each day helping families clean and restore their homes. Step by step, classroom by classroom, home by home, the community began to recover. And throughout it all, the spirit of PSU Pattani remained unwavering—quiet, steady, and deeply human following the principal “Our Soul is for the Benefit of Mankind.”
