Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Diocese of Surat Thani
Surat Thani (Fides News Agency) – "The effects of the devastating floods are still being felt in the diocese. As a local church, after providing emergency relief, we are now in a phase of long-term support, assisting people and families who have lost their homes, their jobs, and their livelihoods," Father John Baptist Amornkit Promphakdee, Vicar General and spokesperson for the Diocese of Surat Thani in the far south of Thailand, told Fides. Here, Catholic communities, thanks to the diocesan Caritas office and in cooperation with the national Caritas organization, are accompanying and supporting the local communities that were hit by the worst floods in history in November 2025. The government described the rainfall as "an event that occurs every 300 years." The devastating floods left behind a trail of destruction from which people are struggling to recover and resulted in over 630,000 internally displaced persons.
"As our Bishop Paul Trairong Multree and the entire community desire, we hope that the Church of Surat Thani will continue to be a beacon of hope and compassion in the region," he said. "The parish," he continued, "is doing its utmost to support families in need, especially in the five hardest-hit communities in Songkhla Province. Our Bishop Paul Trairong Multree, along with priests, nuns, lay people, and Caritas volunteer teams, is visiting the flood-stricken communities, distributing relief supplies, assessing needs, and initiating appropriate measures."
In the current reconstruction phase, government aid programs and civil society organizations are working to "restore livelihoods, rebuild infrastructure, and address long-term health issues, particularly those affecting children," the Vicar reported.
To this end, the Catholic community of Surat Thani has launched a special project aimed at students at eight small schools in Songkhla province, promoting healthy eating and sustainable food production. "The displaced," said Father John Baptist Amornkit, "celebrated Songkran, the traditional Thai New Year (April 13–16), under difficult conditions and on a small scale. They are working tirelessly to free themselves from the mud and debris. Priests, religious, and lay people are there for those affected, offering material and spiritual support to the families." Surat Thani is one of Thailand's largest dioceses, encompassing the entire southern tip of the country in a region with over 10 million inhabitants, of whom approximately 9,000 are Catholic—a small minority spread across 41 parishes. (PA) (Fides News Agency, 24/4/2026)
