HEAVY rainfall and subsequent flooding along the southern coast of Thailand has led to airport closures and several flight cancellations.
In Samui 36 domestic and international flights were cancelled up to 18h00 local time today. Flights to and from Phuket were among those suspended.
Nakhon Sri Thammarat airport has been closed since Sunday due to runway flooding while ferry services between Koh Samui, the Suratthani mainland and Koh Phangan island, made famous because of the monthly full-moon party, have been suspended.
Ferry operators took the decision after waves reached four-metres high in the Gulf of Thailand.
Transport Minister Sophon Saram told the Cabinet that although the water level at Nakhon Sri Thammarat Airport had dropped, it was still raining in the area. He said officials would have to check infrastructure at the airport before deciding whether it was safe to resume services.
Civil Aviation Department Director-General Somchai Janrod said the water level at the airport had fallen from 50 to 20 centimetres. “We have assigned officials to clean and clear the runaway and taxiways,” he said. He added that it would take at least a week to check the electrical system because the power supply had been cut at the airport.
Meanwhile, the flooding has also left tourists stranded on the Similan islands, while in Koh Samui, authorities have started evacuating people to temples on high ground as heavy rains caused flash floods that have destroyed roads and disrupted communications.
Mayor Ramnet Chaikwang said on Tuesday soldiers have been asked to use military boats to rescue people, especially in densely populated tourist areas of Chaweng, Lamai and Maenam. He said floodwaters on parts of the tourist island have risen to waist level, making it difficult to reach and move people out of affected areas.
There were also power black outs in many parts of Samui. He also advised tourists to stay in their hotels until flights to the island resume.
Emergency disaster zones have been declared in 34 districts across five provinces since heavy downpours began last Wednesday. Affected provinces include Nakhon Sri Thammarat, Surat Thani, Phattalung and part of Trang.
In Nakhon Si Thammarat, 60 tourists were marooned in the popular Nam Priwan Resort in Nopphitam district while heavy rain lashed Phuket overnight with flooding and landslips now a prime concern.
According to the Thai Met Office the low pressure system is still hovering over the middle of southern Thailand. The system is forecast to move to the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal over the next two days. Cool to cold weather will be likely with 3-5°C drops over the north, northeast, central including Bangkok and vicinity, and east of the country. The provinces of Chumphon, Ranong, Phang-nga, Phuket, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Krabi, Trang and Satun are all at risk for further floods.