Soldiers converted floodwater into drinking water in southern Thailand.

The Thai Army deployed engineering troops and three field water purification units to Hat Yai District on November 29 to assist residents facing a shortage of usable water caused by widespread flooding.

Authorities said personnel from the 21st Engineer Battalion in Ratchaburi were sent to Songkhla Province with field water units capable of producing clean, drinkable water for consumption and daily use.

Two of the units were set up in the Kho Hong Subdistrict at Hat Yai Municipality Park near the raw water pond and at the Hat Yai Chalermphrakiat Art Gallery area.

A third unit was installed at a temporary shelter within the 42nd Military Circle at Sena Narong Camp.

The three systems could produce a combined total of 18,000 litres of clean water per hour, allowing efficient production and distribution of safe water across flood-affected communities.

Footage shows troops pumping floodwater into the purification units, transforming contaminated standing water into potable supplies for residents impacted by the disaster.

Authorities said they would continue to mobilise all available resources to support relief efforts, restore affected areas, and assist people in Hat Yai and other flood-hit regions until conditions returned to normal.

The death toll reached 176 as the catastrophic floods, described by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul as 'the worst flooding in 15 years', swept through southern Thailand.

The premier on Saturday apologised for the government's bungled flood response amid public outrage, telling them 'that the government was unable to take care and protect them'.

Songkhla province suffered the highest death toll, with 131 fatalities. Hat Yai district was among the worst-hit areas, recording a staggering 13 inches (335 mm) of rainfall in a single day on November 21.

The Southern Eastern Meteorological Centre said a strong monsoon trough had caused the heavy rainfall.

Thailand and neighbouring countries in Southeast Asia are in their annual monsoon rainy season which sees soaring temperatures followed by powerful rain storms in the afternoon leading to widespread flash floods.