Big waves pounding Andaman coast

Big waves pounding Andaman coast

Monsoon seas punish southern coastline

Big waves will continue to pound Thailand's southern coast facing the Andaman Sea for at least the next 24 hours as the southwest monsoon still covers the area, the Meteorological Department forecast on Tuesday.

The department said monsoon waves of 2-4 metres would continue along the Andaman coast, with heavy seas also in the upper part of the Gulf of Thailand, for the next 24 hours.

Heavy rain would continue in many areas. Small boats were warned to stay ashore.

From June 18 to 20 waves along the Thai Andaman coast would be 2-3 metres high. 

Huge seas have hit some southern Thai provinces on the Andaman Sea over the past several days, affecting seaside shops and restaurants.

Fearful people in Ban Nam Khem, Koh Khor Khao, Bang Niang and Bang Khao Lak areas of Takua Pa district in  Phangnga province moved to safer places, mainly relatives' houses elsewhere. 

Most of these people lived through the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004. 

Somsak Khaosuwan, director of the National Disaster Warning Centre, on Tuesday sought to allay fears of another tsunami-like disaster. He said waves 2-4 metres high were normal during the monsoon season.

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