The storms have hit Southern islands including two popular tourist destinations – Kho Samui and Koh Phangan – causing floods and suspension of ferry services between Surat Thani and Koh Samui.
Heavy storms slammed two popular southern tourist destinations on Monday, causing flooding and the suspension of ferry services between Surat Thani and Koh Samui.
Social media was flooded with photos showing high seas and stormy conditions in Surat Thani and on Samui and Koh Phangan, particularly along beachfront near the Na Thon ferry terminal.
Stuart McDonald of the popular Travelfish website tweeted a photo of waves pounding Koh Phangan, home to the monthly full-moon parties.
Looks like some bad flooding on Ko Pha Ngan … this the view from Haad Thian (east) beach. pic.twitter.com/mmOXoirHPF
— Stuart McDonald (@travelfish) January 25, 2016
Nakhon News Online tweeted an image showing above ankle-deep water on Koh Samui with information saying the island's roads and houses were inundated amid strong wind and waves of 3-4 metres.
เกาะสมุย..เจอน้ำทะเลท่วม...บ้านเรือน..ถนนร้านค้า..คลื่น.ลม.แรง.สูงสาม/สี.เมตร..ลมแรง pic.twitter.com/24PhD1LScJ
— นครนิวส์ออนไลน์ (@0844442745) January 25, 2016
Away from the tourist islands, locals in tambon Pak Nam of Chumphon's Muang district also suffered flooding during high tide. Those living near the shoreline had to move their belongings to higher ground. A four-photo tweet from Twitter user @Adisorn1234 showed the storm battering Surat Thani.
ในขณะที่ภาคอื่นหนาวกัน ดูความโหดร้ายของอ่าวไทย นครศรีฯ #cr.petchWu @MrVop pic.twitter.com/2HlOWC9YZ1
— Adisorn (@ADISORN1234) January 25, 2016
Wood debris and rubbish were swept ashore in tourist spots like Thung Wua Lan beach in Pathew district. Fishing boats were forced to take refuge in canals to avoid damage.
The province has warned residents about heavy rain and rough seas, ordering small boats to remain ashore on Monday. On Sunday night, torrential rain flooded some roads in Muang district, but the water receded in the morning.
Prachuap Khiri Khan also experienced flooding along its beachfront after four-metre-high waves pounded the beach on Monday morning. Vendors around Manao beach have to remove canvas beds and umbrellas from the beach to avoid them being washed away.