Local people, as well as tourists and tourism-related operators, have been urged to stay alert, in response to the Meteorological Department’s warning on the possible severe weather conditions caused by Tropical Storm Pabuk that is likely to affect southern Thailand.
The weather warning was issued on 3 January at 05.00 hr. Tropical Storm Pabuk will affect the South with more rain and some torrential downpours on 3-5 January 2019. The strong winds are forecast for both the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, with waves up to 3-5 meters high in the Gulf and 2-3 meters high in the Andaman Sea.
The authorities are on high alert to ensure the safety and well-being of all people. The possible affected areas are as follows:
3-4 January: Isolated torrential downpours with strong winds in Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Krabi, Trang, and Satun;
4-5 January: Isolated torrential downpours with strong winds in Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Ranong, Phang-nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang, and Satun.
The Prime Minister has instructed responsible agencies to advise all trawlers and tourist boats operating on the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea to exercise caution or temporarily cancel their operations as the storm approaches. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation has put all its southern offices on high alert, stockpiling equipment and supplies. The Royal Thai Navy has prepared the HTMS Angthong, a landing platform dock frigate, to remain on standby at the Sattahip Naval Base to help in case people are affected by the storm.
The Ang Thong Marine National Park, located in the Gulf of Thailand, has announced a temporarily three-day closure of the park from 3 January to 5 January for the safety of tourists. All speedboats and ferry services between Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, and Ko Tao have been cancelled during these few days of severe weather conditions.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand has advised tourists and tourism-related operators to exercise extreme caution and comply with the official instructions.
Source: The Government Public Relations Department
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