STORY: Once bright and shiny, the Mahattamangkalaraam temple in Thailan'ds Hat Yai now sits shrouded in mud and debris, with monks and novices working through the mess on Saturday (November 29) after a week of deadly flooding.

The temple, known for its 35-metre (115-foot) reclining Buddha, was submerged under about 5 metres (16 feet) of water, which reached the second floor of the monks’ residential building, according to Deputy Abbot of the temple, Phra Khru Pawanakanlayanakun.

“Start again. It’s not too late,” said Deputy Abbot Phra Khru Pawanakanlayanakun, urging residents not to hold on to anxiety or regret after the disaster. “Everything you built can be rebuilt. We can help rebuild it together,” he added.

Hat Yai received 335 mm (13 inches) of rain last Friday (November 21) during two days of heavy downpours — its highest single-day rainfall in 300 years.

As a result, the floods, which have swept through nine southern Thai provinces, have killed 170 people, including 131 in Songkhla province, where Hat Yai is located, according to officials.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: HAT YAI, THAILAND (NOVEMBER 29, 2025) (REUTERS – Access all)

1. FLOOD-DAMAGED BUDDHIST TEMPLE WITH MUD COVERING FLOOR IN HAT YAI

2. BUDDHA STATUES STAINED WITH MUD

3. BUDDHIST MONK PUSHING TROLLEY CART AMID TRASH AND MUD

4. DONATION BUCKETS AND BUDDHA STATUES COVERED IN MUD

5. VARIOUS OF BUDDHA STATUES COVERED IN MUD

6. DHAMMA BOOKS SOAKED AND COVERED IN MUD

7. BUDDHA STATUE WITH CLOTH DRAPED OVER IT, COVERED IN MUD

8. BUDDHA STATUE AND TEMPLE FLOOR FILLED WITH MUD

9. METAL GATE AND STATUES COVERED IN MUD

10. MONK’S ALMS BOWL ON MUD-COVERED FLOOR / BUDDHIST MONKS PUSHING TROLLEY CART

11. (SOUNDBITE) (Thai) DEPUTY ABBOT OF MAHATTAMANGKALARAM TEMPLE, PHRA KHRU PAWANAKANLAYANAKUN, SAYING:

“Here, the water was about three to four metres (10–13 feet) high. If you stood over there, it was five metres (16 feet), and on the other side also about five metres (16 feet), because my kuti (monk’s residence) is on the second floor, around thigh level. The kuti itself is about four metres (13 feet) high, and counting further, it reaches about five metres (16 feet). In the lower areas, it was six to seven metres (20–23 feet).”

12. RECLINING BUDDHA STATUE INSIDE TEMPLE WITH MONKS SPEAKING

13. MONKS SPEAKING WHILE STANDING ON MUD-COVERED GROUND

14. MONK PUSHING CART AT TEMPLE / STRAY DOG WALKING AMID MUD AND DEBRIS

15. VARIOUS OF BUDDHIST NOVICES COLLECTING TRASH FROM RUBBLE

16. MONKS AND NOVICES WALKING THROUGH AREA WITH MUD-COVERED FLOWER POTS

17. NOVICE COLLECTING BROKEN FAN PARTS WHILE WALKING THROUGH WET MUD

18. MONK AND NOVICES PILING TRASH TOGETHER

19. MONK SITTING AND LOOKING OUT

20. (SOUNDBITE) (Thai) DEPUTY ABBOT OF MAHATTAMANGKALARAM TEMPLE, PHRA KHRU PAWANAKANLAYANAKUN, SAYING:

“The flood itself wasn’t frightening, but what comes after the water recedes is what’s really worrying and frightening. People are bruised by the experience, full of anxiety, regret and sadness. So don’t hold on to that regret or sadness. Start again. It’s not too late. Everything you built can be rebuilt. We can help rebuild it together. So don’t be afraid. Bless you.”

21. EXTERIOR OF TEMPLE WITH MUDDY GROUND AND PILES OF TRASH

22. VARIOUS OF TEMPLE BUILDINGS FILLED WITH MUD AND DEBRIS

23. SHOVEL SCOOPING MUD FROM FLOOR

24. STATUE OF THAI NATIONAL ICON INSIDE TEMPLE

25. VARIOUS OF NOVICES WALKING AMONG TRASH ON MUDDY GROUND