Typhoon Kajiki: Hua Hin’s Outlook, Survival Tips, and Building Resilience

Typhoon Dynamics in Plain English: Typhoon Kajiki is essentially a massive tropical cyclone – think of it as a giant heat engine over the ocean that spins up powerful winds and pulls in huge amounts of moisture. In the Western Pacific, we call these intense storms typhoons, and they form when warm ocean water heats the air above it, making it rise and spin (thanks to Earth’s rotation). Kajiki began as a cluster of thunderstorms over the Pacific, gathering strength from warm waters and growing into a swirling storm system. By 25. August 2025 it intensified into a typhoon with winds around 140 km/h[1]. In simple terms, that’s strong enough to knock down trees and power lines. The storm’s rotation (counter-clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere) means it flings bands of rain and wind far from its center – so even areas not directly under the eye can get soaked and battered.

Kajiki’s Track and Landfall: Typhoon Kajiki trekked west-northwest across the South China Sea toward Vietnam[2]. Imagine it like a spinning top moving across a map from east of the Philippines toward Indochina. It made landfall over upper Vietnam on August 25, 2025, and because land quickly saps a typhoon’s strength, Kajiki began weakening upon hitting Vietnam’s coast[2]. By the time it pushed inland, it was projected to downgrade to a tropical storm and then a mere tropical depression as it moved into Laos by August 26[1]. In fact, forecasters expected Kajiki’s remnants to drift into northern Thailand (around Nan province) as a weakening low-pressure area by August 26–27[3]. So, Kajiki isn’t coming to Thailand as a full-blown typhoon – it’s losing steam – but its side effects will definitely be felt in our region**.

Track map of Typhoon Kajiki’s path in late August 2025. The storm moved west-northwest from the South China Sea into Vietnam, then weakened as it headed toward Laos and northern Thailand.

Why Hua Hin Feels It (Even with Vietnam Landfall): It may seem odd that Hua Hin, on the Gulf of Thailand, gets lashed by a storm that hit Vietnam. But tropical storms are expansive – Kajiki’s rain bands extend hundreds of kilometers from its center. When Kajiki made landfall in Vietnam, its circulation didn’t just vanish; the storm’s counter-clockwise winds continued dragging moisture from the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea, dumping it over Thailand’s territory. Moreover, Kajiki’s collision with Vietnam merged with our seasonal monsoon flow. Right now it’s the wet season, and a southwest monsoon is blowing across the Andaman Sea and Gulf toward Thailand[4]. Kajiki’s presence turbocharges that monsoon: its low-pressure suck draws even more humid air over Thailand’s coast. The result? Heavy rain and gusty winds in provinces like Prachuap Khiri Khan (where Hua Hin is) despite the storm’s center being in Vietnam or Laos. Meteorologists explicitly warned that strong winds and “heavy to very heavy rain” would hit many regions of Thailand due to Kajiki – including the Central region and southern (east coast) provinces like Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan[5][6]. In short, Kajiki’s outer rain bands and the enhanced monsoon currents are reaching across the mountains and sea to drench us.

Hua Hin’s 3–5 Day Outlook (Rain, Wind & Waves): Residents of Hua Hin should brace for a few days of intense weather, mainly in the form of rainfall. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has forecast widespread thunderstorms and heavy rain over 60–70% of our area through at least August 27[7][6]. Practically, this means almost every day through mid-week will bring periods of downpours. Expect some flash floods in low-lying spots or near hills during bursts of very heavy rain – the kind of sudden street flooding Hua Hin has seen before when rainfall rates overwhelm the drains. Winds will be gusty at times, though not hurricane-level, mostly in strong squalls during thunderstorms. The outlook improves slightly after the next 3 days: by Thursday or Friday (Aug 28–29), as Kajiki’s remnants dissipate and move on, rainfall should taper to more routine scattered showers instead of constant heavy downpours. Forecast models show Hua Hin’s rain chances dropping from about 90% on Tue/Wed (with 10+ mm rain each day likely) down to perhaps 40% by Thursday[8][9]. In other words, the worst should be over by mid-week – but until then, stay prepared for potential rough weather.

We shouldn’t forget the sea conditions either. Strong winds over the Gulf mean the ocean is churning. Waves offshore Hua Hin and along the coast could reach 2–3 meters high, especially if thunderstorm squalls blow through[10]. The TMD has advised all ships to proceed with caution and for small boats to “keep ashore” (in port) during this period[10]. If you were thinking of boating or fishing – now’s not the time! Even beachfront activities should be approached carefully; rough surf and possible storm surges can rapidly erode beach sand and even reach seawalls during high tide. In January this year, for instance, a strong monsoon surge sent 2–4 meter waves pounding Hua Hin’s coast, chewing away beach sections and forcing red-flag warnings to keep people out of the water[11][12]. Kajiki’s influence won’t be quite that intense here, but swimming and water sports are definitely unsafe for the next few days. Hoteliers have raised red flags on local beaches whenever needed, and you should heed those warnings[13][12].

Bottom line for Hua Hin: through the next 3 days (Aug 25–27), expect periods of torrential rain, potential street flooding and localized wind damage (like falling branches or signs). Keep an umbrella handy (a sturdy one!), avoid flood-prone roads if a squall just passed, and postpone any boat trips. By the weekend, conditions should start reverting to the normal rainy-season pattern – occasional showers but also some sunshine peeking back out.

Practical Playbook For Hua Hin Residents

Even a weaker Kajiki can cause headaches, so it’s smart for locals to prepare and adapt.

Here’s a practical playbook – in plain language – for getting through the storm and its aftermath. We’ll break it down by neighborhood risks and then give checklists for different situations: homes, condos, resorts, small shops, and boaters. Consider this your local survival guide to ride out the rough weather safely.

Neighborhood-Level Risks in Hua Hin: First, know your vulnerability. Hua Hin has a few known trouble spots when heavy rains strike:

• Flood-Prone “Soi” (Streets): Some low-lying residential streets tend to flood after downpours. For example, the area around Soi Hua Hin 102 is notorious – housing estates there (like Pong Nares, Royal Home, Country Hill) have been repeatedly inundated, with dozens of homes affected[14]. In past floods, water over a meter deep swamped parts of Soi 102, requiring power cut-offs for safety and evacuations of elderly residents. Another problem area is Soi 112 and the stretch from Soi 88 through Soi 102, which city surveys identified as frequent flood zones[15]. If you live in those neighborhoods or similar low-lying sois, be prepared for street flooding – don’t park your car in underground spots, and consider moving valuables to higher floors temporarily. Additionally, the main highway Phetkasem Road through town isn’t immune: sections in front of the Chat Chai Market and near Hua Hin Market Village mall have seen 20–30 cm of water in big storms[16]. The highway can become a shallow river briefly, stranding cars (as happened in October 2024 when monsoon rains made parts of Phetkasem a 20-40 cm deep “aquatic display” until water drained[17]). So anticipate slow traffic or detours if a deluge hits during rush hour.

• Beachfront Erosion and High Waves: Hua Hin’s beautiful beaches can turn dangerous under storm conditions. Strong onshore winds plus high tides can drive seawater inland. We’ve seen seawater surge up to hotel sea-walls along a 10-km stretch from central Hua Hin to Khao Takiab during past storms[11]. This not only eats away the sand (shrinking the beach) but can also flood beachfront roads or properties. During Kajiki’s impact, we expect rough seas (waves 2-3m) which might cause some coastal erosion. Beachfront businesses should be on guard – in January many had to stack sandbags and move furniture as waves breached the usual shoreline[18]. If you live by the beach or plan to secure a seaside restaurant, be ready to protect property from saltwater intrusion (more on that in the checklist). And of course, red flags mean stay out of the water – the currents are too unpredictable now.

• Power and Telecom Outages: Heavy rain and wind can knock out utilities in pockets of town. We’re not talking full city blackouts, but localized power cuts can happen if winds topple a tree onto lines or if officials pre-emptively shut electricity in a flooded area to prevent electrocution. For instance, during a flood in Chiang Rai last year, authorities cut power in inundated markets to prevent accidents[19]. In Hua Hin, similar safety blackouts might occur in severely flooded neighborhoods. Additionally, telecom networks (mobile and internet) might hiccup if their local relay stations lose power or get waterlogged. Usually, outages are short-lived (hours, not days), but it’s wise to charge devices in advance and have backup communication (like a power bank or a battery radio) in case.

Now, given these risks, here are checklists for different resident groups to minimize damage and stay safe:

For Homeowners (Houses and Villas): If you live in a house, especially one in a low area or with ground-floor living space, take these steps: - Protect Your Entryways: Stack sandbags at your gate and front door if your street tends to flood[20]. Even a low sandbag wall can keep shallow flash floods from rushing into your living room. Also, apply water-proof sealant to ground-floor exterior walls and make sure drains around your house (yard grates, driveway drains) are clear of leaves – you want to give water a place to go.- Elevate and Secure Belongings: Move valuable items and electronics off the ground. Put appliances like fridges on blocks or pallets, or at least raise them a few inches if possible[21]. Place important documents, photo albums, and electronics on high shelves or upper floors. If you have time, you can even unscrew and temporarily remove wooden doors on the ground floor (so swollen doorframes won’t trap them) and roll up any carpets. Basically, assume an inch or two of water could get in and plan accordingly.- Prepare for Power Loss: Charge all your essential devices (phones, power banks, rechargeable lights). Test flashlights and have spare batteries. If you own a portable generator, ensure it’s fueled and only use it outdoors (to avoid carbon monoxide). Know how to safely turn off your home’s electricity main if water enters – it can prevent short circuits or shocks. Having some ice packs or a cooler can help save perishables if the fridge loses power for an extended time.

Stock Emergency Supplies: Have a basic flood kit ready. This includes bottled drinking water (at least a few days’ supply), non-perishable food (canned or dry goods) that doesn’t require cooking, a first aid kit, necessary medications, and some cash (ATMs might be down). Keep a whistle and a sturdy rope handy in case you need to signal for help or secure something. And don’t forget waterproof clothing – raincoats, boots, maybe even an inflatable float or rubber tube if your area has a history of deep floods. It sounds extreme, but in past floods some Hua Hin residents literally needed to wade out with belongings on makeshift rafts. Knee-high rubber boots and a poncho can make any necessary outing much safer and drier[22].-

Car Prep: If you have a car or motorcycle, park it on higher ground if you know your street floods. Engines don’t like being submerged. If caught in flooding on the road, do not drive through deep water – half a meter can float a car. Better to wait it out or find an alternate route (police often divert traffic to the bypass road during severe floods[23]).

For Condo Dwellers: High-rise living has the advantage of elevation, but there are still a few things to mind: - Secure Your Balcony: Strong winds can turn balcony furniture or plant pots into projectiles. Bring loose items inside or firmly tie them down. Also, clear your balcony drain of debris so it doesn’t overflow and potentially leak into your unit.- Plan for Elevators and Power: If power blinks, elevators may be shut down as a precaution. So if you live on a very high floor and have mobility issues, consider staying with a friend on a lower floor pre-emptively. Keep a flashlight within reach, especially if you need to use stairwells in the dark. It’s also wise to fill a bucket or two with water for manual flushing, since high-rise pump systems might fail during an outage.- Vehicle Parking: Many condos have underground or semi-basement parking which can flood. Park at higher levels (or even street level away from flood zones) if heavy rain is expected. During Bangkok’s big floods in 2011, lots of basement garages turned into swimming pools – we learn from those lessons.- Community Alerts: Pay attention to announcements from your juristic person or building manager. They might issue specific guidelines, like shutting off the main electricity in flooded basements or placing sandbags at the building entrance. Cooperate and don’t use elevators if they advise against it. Condo buildings are generally safe structures in storms (no roof to blow off, etc.), so your main job is to stay comfortable and stocked inside.

For Hotels/Resorts and Guesthouses: If you run or work at a local resort, you have the dual responsibility of property protection and guest safety: - Secure the Premises: Move outdoor furniture, beach chairs, and umbrellas indoors or tie them down – high winds can scatter these and cause damage. Erect sandbag barriers at entrances if the property is beachfront or in a low spot. Many resorts have their own pumps; ensure they’re serviced and ready to drain accumulating water from the grounds. Also check that backup generators are functional in case power goes out – guests will appreciate lights (and AC if possible) staying on.- Guest Communication: Proactively inform your guests about the storm situation and safety measures. Post notices or send letters to rooms about the red-flag beach warnings, advising against swimming or walking too close to rough surf. If certain facilities (pool, spa, etc.) are closed due to weather, explain it’s for their safety. Have an evacuation plan and share the basics with guests – e.g. “If water rises beyond X level, our staff will guide you to the second floor restaurant” or such. Sometimes simply letting them know you have a plan calms nerves.- Emergency Supplies and Staffing: Prepare some flashlights for guest use if needed. Keep a stock of drinking water and easy-to-eat food if guests have to hunker down on-site (maybe plan a hot drink station or something comforting if everyone’s stuck indoors during a downpour). Make sure your first aid kit is fully stocked. Have key staff like maintenance and security on standby or staying on-site if possible – they’ll be needed if there’s minor flooding, a short circuit, or a guest requiring help. Also, ensure your communication devices (walkie-talkies or internal phones) are working across the property.-

Protecting Critical Systems: Elevate or waterproof any critical equipment. For example, if you have pumps or electrical panels in a basement, try to shield them or be ready to shut them off if flooding occurs there. The lesson from past floods: some businesses lost expensive equipment because it wasn’t moved in time. If your resort has gardens or trees, there’s a risk of falling branches – consider temporarily closing paths under big trees, and have maintenance trim any obviously dead branches if you can ahead of the storm.

For Small Shops & Restaurants: Local businesses, especially at street level, should take measures too – both to protect your livelihood and to ensure customer safety: - Flood-Proof Your Shop: If your shop is on a ground floor at street level (say, a tailor shop or café on a small soi), use sandbags at the door when heavy rain threatens. Lift merchandise off low shelves – put goods in plastic bins or on upper racks. Important documents, inventory lists, or electronics (like the POS system) should be moved higher or sealed in plastic. Unplug appliances if water starts entering to avoid short circuits. One Hua Hin shopkeeper trick: have a squeegee mop ready – as water recedes you can quickly push it out and cleanup before it soaks everything.- Business Continuity: Anticipate that some staff might be late or unable to come if their neighborhoods flood. Have a contingency if you need to operate with a skeleton crew, or decide in advance under what conditions you’ll temporarily close for safety. It’s better to shut doors for a day than to put employees at risk traveling through a storm. Use social media or a sign on the door to inform customers if you close due to weather.- Protect Utilities: If your shop has a back office or storage with important electrical gear (routers, servers, etc.), elevate them off the floor. Perhaps shut off power at the breaker if water starts pooling inside. If you have refrigerators/freezers (like in a restaurant), minimize opening them during power outages to keep food cold. Consider a small UPS (uninterruptible power supply) for your computer or cash register to safely shut it down without data loss if power fluctuates.- After the Storm – Clean-up and Health: Once flooding subsides, be careful during cleanup. Wear gloves and boots, as flood water can be contaminated (not just rain, but it might carry sewage or chemicals). Disinfect floors and surfaces that were in contact with dirty water – it helps prevent mold and disease. Also, check for any electrical hazards before turning the power back on. Sadly, many flood-related injuries happen during the aftermath, like electrocutions or falls. Take your time and prioritize safety over quick reopening. Remember, customers will understand a short delay – especially if they see you taking proper precautions.

For Boaters and Fishermen: Hua Hin’s coastal community – whether small fishing boat operators, tour boats, or leisure sailors – must take storm warnings seriously: - Stay Ashore and Secure Your Vessel: The number one rule is don’t attempt to go out to sea while the storm influence is present. The upper Gulf’s waves can top 3 meters in thunderstorms[10], which is dangerous for any small craft. Follow the TMD advisory and keep boats ashore or in safe harbor[10]. For fishermen, this might mean hauling your long-tail boat up onto the beach or into the Khao Takiab fishing pier canal. In January, over 100 fishing boats packed into the pier and canal to shelter from rough seas[24] – it’s wise to do the same now.-

Double Up Moorings: If your boat is docked, double the mooring lines and use chafing gear (old hose or cloth) on ropes to prevent wear, as storm surges will make boats strain against their lines. Ensure bilge pumps are working and batteries are charged – rain will fill the boat quickly, and a bilge pump can be a savior. Close all hatches and scuppers to keep water out as much as possible.- Remove Sails & Loose Gear: For any sailboats, strip the sails off or at least securely furl and double-bind them. Remove any canvas covers, bimini tops, etc., because winds can shred or blow them away. Stow away loose gear on deck; a toolbox or cooler can become a projectile in high winds or if the boat rocks severely.- Personal Safety Gear: Check that you have sufficient life jackets accessible for anyone who might be on board or around. Even if you’re not going out, if you’re tending to the boat during the storm at the dock, wear a life jacket – one slip into choppy water and that jacket could save you. Also have a waterproof flashlight and a marine radio on hand. If something goes wrong (e.g., your boat breaks loose), you’ll want to call for help or signal. However, again, the goal is not to be out there at all when the weather hits its peak.

By following these playbook steps, Hua Hin residents can dramatically reduce the storm’s impact on their daily lives. It’s about thinking ahead: prepare, don’t panic. And remember, neighbors can help each other – if you know an elderly person living alone on a flood-prone street, check on them and lend a hand securing their place. These community bonds often shine during tough times.

Finally, a health tip: floodwaters in Thailand can carry bacteria and even snakes or insects escaping the water. Avoid wading in unknown water if you can. If you must, wear rubber boots and wash up after. During the 2017 floods from Storm Kirogi, health officials noted risks like leptospirosis (from rat urine in water) and dengue if water stagnates[25][26]. So take care of yourself, and once the skies clear, do help scrub out any puddles or treat still water to prevent mosquito breeding.

Hua Hin is a resilient community – this isn’t the first nor last heavy storm we’ll face. With common-sense precautions, we’ll get through Kajiki’s wrath safely and be back to sunny beach days before long.