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Storm Pabuk: Tourists flee Thailand after weather warnings | Storm Pabuk: Tourists flee Thailand after weather warnings |
(35 minutes later) | |
Thousands of tourists and residents have reportedly fled islands off Thailand's south-east coast to escape an approaching tropical storm. | Thousands of tourists and residents have reportedly fled islands off Thailand's south-east coast to escape an approaching tropical storm. |
Authorities have also been preparing shelters for those deciding to stay put. | Authorities have also been preparing shelters for those deciding to stay put. |
Thailand's Met Office says Tropical Storm Pabuk will bring strong winds and 7 metre (22 ft) waves but it is unlikely to become a typhoon. | Thailand's Met Office says Tropical Storm Pabuk will bring strong winds and 7 metre (22 ft) waves but it is unlikely to become a typhoon. |
A weather warning has been issued but no evacuation order is in place. | A weather warning has been issued but no evacuation order is in place. |
The storm is expected hit the country's southern coast from Thursday, causing heavy rainfall and possible flash flooding. | The storm is expected hit the country's southern coast from Thursday, causing heavy rainfall and possible flash flooding. |
Thailand's Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said the military was on alert to assist people affected. | Thailand's Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said the military was on alert to assist people affected. |
Among those areas in the path of the storm is Surat Thani, home to the popular tourist islands of Koh Phangnan, Koh Samui and Koh Tao. | |
Visitor numbers to the islands usually peak over the Christmas and New Year period. | Visitor numbers to the islands usually peak over the Christmas and New Year period. |
"I think the islands are almost empty," Krikkrai Songthanee, Koh Phangnan's district chief, told AFP. | "I think the islands are almost empty," Krikkrai Songthanee, Koh Phangnan's district chief, told AFP. |
Images are circulating on social media of tourists and residents leaving various islands by boat for the Thai mainland. | Images are circulating on social media of tourists and residents leaving various islands by boat for the Thai mainland. |
However, bans on boats have been enforced in several areas including Phi Phi Island because of safety concerns. As a result, many tourists have been forced to stay put. | However, bans on boats have been enforced in several areas including Phi Phi Island because of safety concerns. As a result, many tourists have been forced to stay put. |
Swimming has also been banned in Koh Samui. But videos on social media showing people swimming in the island. | Swimming has also been banned in Koh Samui. But videos on social media showing people swimming in the island. |
Bangkok Airways said it had cancelled some flights, whilst other airlines said they were monitoring the weather. | Bangkok Airways said it had cancelled some flights, whilst other airlines said they were monitoring the weather. |
Authorities on some islands are have avoided enforcing bans or advising evacuations altogether. | Authorities on some islands are have avoided enforcing bans or advising evacuations altogether. |
Chaiyan Thurasakul, mayor of the Koh Tao Subdistrict Municipality, told BBC Thai the island had prepared for risks of floods, landslides and strong waves. | Chaiyan Thurasakul, mayor of the Koh Tao Subdistrict Municipality, told BBC Thai the island had prepared for risks of floods, landslides and strong waves. |
"If the storm is severe for two to three days, we may have to ask for help from the main land for shipment of necessary items," said Chaiyan. | "If the storm is severe for two to three days, we may have to ask for help from the main land for shipment of necessary items," said Chaiyan. |
Pabuk - which means giant catfish in Lao - is the first storm in nearly thirty years to hit the region outside monsoon season, which ends around November. | Pabuk - which means giant catfish in Lao - is the first storm in nearly thirty years to hit the region outside monsoon season, which ends around November. |
In 2011, devastating floods in Thailand killed 600 people and displaced thousands of others in more than a third of the country's provinces. | In 2011, devastating floods in Thailand killed 600 people and displaced thousands of others in more than a third of the country's provinces. |