Hatyai-Songkhla Hotel Association president Sitthipong Sitthiprapha said the sudden rise in floodwaters since last night had trapped thousands of Malaysians in hotels in Hatyai and other parts of Songkhla.
“More than 4,000 Malaysian tourists have been stranded since last night … including those intending to return to Malaysia via Sadao as the main road from Hatyai to Sadao is now impassable,” he said, Bernama reported.
“There are also Malaysian tourists unable to leave their hotels due to flooding in Hatyai town.”
He added that local authorities had begun providing food supplies and deploying boats to move stranded tourists to safer areas. The number of Malaysian vehicles submerged in the floods remains unclear, but no casualties have been reported.
Malaysia’s consulate-general in Songkhla said it had activated its operations team to assist stranded Malaysians and is in touch with the local authorities, hotels, and Malaysian groups in the affected areas.
The consul-general, Ahmad Fahmi Ahmad Sarkawi, advised Malaysians to postpone travel to southern Thailand because of the severe weather, ongoing heavy rainfall, and floods. Travellers should delay their plans until conditions improve.
For consular assistance, Malaysians may contact officers on duty at +66 81 990 1930 or email [email protected]
Continuous rain since Monday has triggered flooding in eight southern Thai provinces, forcing nearly 124,003 families to evacuate to safer locations.
RTM announcer trapped with family
For Wan Nur Asyikin W A’zemim, 33, a journalist and radio announcer with RTM Langkawi, the situation has become increasingly worrying as she and her family wait for help with dwindling basic supplies.
Travelling with her husband, their nine-month-old son, five-year-old daughter and four colleagues, she said what was supposed to be a short trip has quickly turned into an anxious ordeal.
“My baby is almost out of milk and diapers. My five-year-old daughter has very little food left,” she told Bernama.
“The children are hungry. We didn’t bring extra because we were supposed to go home tomorrow,” she said, adding that the hotel has since lost electricity, while phone and internet lines remain unstable.
“I have contacted the Malaysian consulate here. They told us the authorities have been informed and assured that help will be sent soon.”