22-foot waves are expected with Storm Pabuk, the first tropical storm to hit Thailand in 68 years, sweeping through the gulf of Thailand. With high season in full swing, 1000s of tourists are struggling to get off the island and evacuation centres have been set up in Koh Samui.
The seriousness of the storm is highlighted by the fact that 900 people lose their lives in the last tropical storm to hit Thailand in 1962. So, what do you need to know?
Storm Pabuk: What we know so far
The latest warning from the Thai Meteorological Department advises that “people should beware of the severe conditions” of tropical storm Pabuk.
- The storm will hit Thursday night until Saturday
- There are 7 metre (22 foot) waves forecast for Gulf of Thailand
- Thailand’s Met Office says it is unlikely to become a typhoon
- Evacuation zones have been set up in six southern seaside districts
- Bangkok Airlines have canceled all flights to Koh Samui
- Thailand’s armed forces are on standby for Pabuk’s arrival
- Up to 250mm of rain is expected with flash flooding likely
- All boats on the islands will be kept in port on Friday, and from 5am to 10am on Saturday
- Estimated wind speeds of 65km-90km/hr
Expected storm path for southern districts:
3 January: Isolated torrential downpours with strong wind in Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarart, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Phangnga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang and Satun.
4-5 January: Widespread rainfall with isolated torrential downpours and strong wind in Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarart, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Ranong, Phangnga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang and Satun.
Images shared on social media show the storm approaching…
#KohSamui #PABUK #Pabukupdate #lamai
Lamai beach 11.40am 3rd Jan. Storm approaching pic.twitter.com/pSNyncHB4c— Samui Explorer (@Samuiexplorer) January 3, 2019
Staying safe during Storm Pabuk
6 ways to survive from "Pabuk" tropical storm
by Banjong Nasae, Chief of Thai Sea Watch Association.#ThaiPBSWorld #ThailandNews #Pabuk Thailand pic.twitter.com/b8WVGI7EjN— Thai PBS World (@ThaiPBSWorld) January 3, 2019
Emergency numbers in case you are in need of assistance. Please share with those you know who are in Southern Thailand. #Thailand #Pabuk #พายุปาบึก pic.twitter.com/nIY9iUwSjP
— Richard Barrow (@RichardBarrow) January 3, 2019
Evacuation points on Koh Samui:
How to make a Storm Kit…
Put a storm kit together that includes food, bottled water, a first aid kit, any necessary medication, emergency phone numbers, clothes, blankets, bin bags, a torch, batteries, a wind-up radio and a disposable camera or a smartphone (to take photos of any damage for your insurance company).
And what to do when the storm hits:
- Keep your doors, windows and storm shutters (if you have them) closed.
- Close your curtains to protect against breaking glass.
- Only open internal doors when needed and close them behind you.
- Don’t try and repair any damage outside until the storm has passed.
- If you need to evacuate, turn off your gas, water and electricity before you leave (if safe to do so).
- If you’ve lost power at night, use torches rather than candles for light to avoid a fire hazard.
The Thai Red Cross Health Stations in southern provinces have prepared 14,500 sets of relief items in advance of the storm
@ThaiRedCross Health Stations in southern provinces have prepared 14,500 sets of relief items&medicine to assist those who are affected by Tropical Storm Pabuk that's hitting 16 southern Thailand provinces during 3-5 Jan pic.twitter.com/KSBVBBrFNS
— Tiamkare Thitithamtada (@Mican_Khan) January 3, 2019
Tourists were lining up for the last standby flights earlier today in attempts to leave Koh Samui
standby line to leave Koh Samui tonight! pic.twitter.com/g3PUgvQrVR
— Christina Yu (@Christi79838621) January 3, 2019
Not everybody however, is heeding the warnings from officials about Storm Pabuk…
It would seem that not everyone on Koh Samui is concerned about the approaching tropical storm. These tourists decided to go for a swim despite the red flags on the beach. I wonder if they know a foreign tourist drowned on Samui yesterday #Thailand #Pabuk #พายุปาบึก #ปาบึก pic.twitter.com/GKitz9yFOw
— Richard Barrow (@RichardBarrow) January 3, 2019
Such an amazing site this is. I love it
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