Massive waves pound Thai gulf coast

26 Dec 2011

Storms and strong waves battered the southern Gulf of Thailand coast yesterday, causing damage and forcing residents to evacuate. Residents of districts on the gulf all the way down from Hua Hin to Nakhon Si Thammarat reported high waves.

Local authorities were last night trying to ascertain the state of affairs on Chumpon’s Phitak Island. A number of tourists are believed to be holidaying on the island, but communications links from the mainland had been severed. In Hua Hin, shopkeepers shuttered their stores in the central tourist precinct near the Sofitel hotel and moved goods to safer locations.

In nearby Prachuap Khiri Khan anchored fishing boats sustained damage, while tourists were advised not to go swimming in the sea. In Chumpon, drivers on coastal roads looked as though they were passing under waterfalls as surf flew up into the air.

In the region of Surat Thani, the access point for the popular resort island of Koh Samui, four-metre waves pounded coastal villages and resorts. Provincial officials say that up to 300 houses and other buildings have been badly damaged and villagers evacuated.

Decha Sukgaeo, the director of Chumpon’s weather station, said storms and the pounding waves were expected to last until Wednesday. He advised the skippers of small fishing trawlers not to set sail before the adverse climatic conditions had improved.

Thai people living on the Gulf of Thailand say the strong seas are unusual for December. Several fishermen say the waves are the strongest to hit the region since Typhoon Gay swept through it in 1989 and killed more than 800.

Tags: Massive waves Thai gulf