Regional News
Three Dead, Thousands Displaced as Tropical Storm Pabuk Downgraded to a Depression
BANGKOK – After devastating southern provinces on Friday, tropical storm ‘Pabuk’ has been downgraded to a depression, according to the Meteorological Department.
The department said the storm moved northwest with its maximum sustained wind of 55km/hr. and at 9.00 a.m. it moved into the Andaman Sea.
Nine provinces including Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarart, Ranong, Phangnga, Phuket and Krabi would be affected for one more day.
People should beware of the severe conditions that cause possible forest runoffs and flash floods.
The department added that showers are expected today in Bangkok and its surrounding provinces.
Meanwhile, Three deaths were reported in Nakhon Si Thammarat, which was hardest hit by tropical storm Pabuk.
The first victim died in a road accident in Pak Phanang district during the storm and another victim was killed by a falling tree.
The last one is a 101-year-old man who died early Saturday because of heart failure at a shelter in Hua Sai district.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said on Saturday, that the public should not be reckless and suggested that they wait for another day until there is an announcement of safety and they should remain in the shelters until the situation returns to normal.
Although the tropical storm has already been downgraded to a depression storm and has moved to the Andaman sea, heavy downpours and strong winds lashed many areas, raising the possibility of flash floods and forest floods.
Bangkok Airways, which has a monopoly at the Koh Samui airport, resumed normal operations early on Saturday and added extra flights to assist stranded passengers.
Travel Resumed
Bangkok Airways announces it has resumed normal flights from Bangkok to the southern resort island of Koh Samui in Surat Thani province.
Bangkok Airways on Friday cancelled all of its normal operations of flights to the island due to tropical storm ‘Pabuk’.
In its announcement, Bangkok Airways said it has also added extra flights to Koh Samui to cushion impact and to facilitate travellers.
However, it said flights may be changed due to uncertainty of weather situation in the area and advised passengers to check flights with the airlines’ call centre at 1771 or (02) 270-6698 before making the journey.
