The United Arab Emirates Embassy in Bangkok has issued an advisory to its citizens residing or visiting Thailand.
The travel advisory is due to Tropical Storm Pabuk that is expected to pound the Southeast Asian nation’s famed southern beach resorts. Tens of thousands of tourists have fled the Thai resort islands of Koh Phangan and Koh Tao in a mass exodus ahead of Tropical Storm Pabuk which is set to bring heavy rains, wind and seven-metre (22ft) waves.
Pabuk, Thailand’s first tropical storm in the area outside of the monsoon season for around 30 years, is poised to batter Koh Phangan and Koh Tao as well as Koh Samui on Friday night, before cutting into the mainland.
After assessing the current weather condition at potentially affected areas, Bangkok Airways announces cancellation of all flights to and from Samui Airport, Surathani on 4th January 2019 for safety reasons. Passengers are advised to contact the airline’s Call Center at 1771 or Assistance Center number at 02-270-6698 (24 hours) for reservation assistance and flight status updates.
Rain was already falling around the Gulf of Thailand on Thursday morning and officials warned that torrential downpours, strong winds and rough seas were expected in 16 provinces when Tropical Storm Pabuk makes its expected landfall on Friday. Thailand’s Meteorological Department said the storm will lash southern Thailand’s east coast from Thursday to Saturday, with the two provinces of Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat expected to be hardest hit. Surat Thani is home to the popular tourist islands of Koh Samui, Koh Tao and Koh Phangan.
