Locals panic as menacing waves and winds lash some southern provinces
Play
High waves hit many seaside southern provinces yesterday, spreading panic among locals who were reminded of the 2004 deadly tsunami.
In Chumphon, waves ravaged hundreds of houses and strong winds uprooted many trees. Some local fishermen lost contact with others after sea conditions turned hostile.
Acting on behalf of Lang Suan district chief, senior assistant district officer Apinya Khondee ordered the evacuation of affected people.
Elsewhere, the big waves and strong winds also caused panic.
“I’ve never seen such big waves before,” said Fon Yangnoi, a 60-year-old resident in Prachuap Khiri Khan’s Sam Roi Yot district.
He was speaking after the waves, between two and four metres high, ravaged seaside restaurants and shops along the coastline.
“The waves were so high and the winds were so strong that they were frightening,” Hua Hin Beach Shop Club chairwoman Somprapa Morakan said.
She said she had already instructed shop-owners to move their stuff out of their seaside structures as a precaution. “It has been forecast that the rough weather conditions will continue for a few more days,” Somprapa said.
She said the shops would be closed until the weather conditions returned to normal. Her club has overseen shops stretching along the Hua Hin beach from the Hilton Hotel to the Sofitel Hotel.
Wanchai Iam-udom, a 62-year-old fisherman, was convinced that the waves were the highest in the province since Typhoon Gay hit more than two decades ago.
“It’s dreadful because the waves have already broke three small fishing trawlers,” he said.
Jim Daeng Restaurant owner Krissana Yoojan said the waves crashed onto the shore and damaged her place.
“The electrical appliances were submerged and ruined,” she moaned.
The Meteorological Department had warned in advance that the sea would be rough in the Gulf of Thailand.
“We don’t know why it has happened. Never before has seawater flooded our homes,” Jirapat Poonsem said. He is a local resident of Khao Takiab Village in Prachuap Khiri Khan.
Local resorts have reported adverse impacts from the big waves, too.
Prachaup Khiri Khan Governor Weera Sriwattanatrakoon said he had already inspected the damage caused by the waves.
“People living along the 220km coastline in Prachuap Khiri Khan should be on alert and stay abreast of weather news,” he said.
He warned tourists against playing in the sea. However, he said tourists could still come and visit the province as usual.
“We have an early-warning system in place,” he said.
Pinnart Jarernphon, who heads the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Prachuap Khiri Khan branch, said the conditions would be rough for just a few days.
“There’s no need to panic,” she said. “It’s just a natural phenomenon.”
Fon of the Prachuap Khiri Khan, however, was really worried. “My parents told me Nature would punish human beings for damaging the natural environment. That’s why we are seeing deadly disasters like flooding, earthquake and tsunami.”
Locals in Nakhon Si Thammarat and Pattani also reported yesterday that high waves had been threatening their homes.
On December 26, 2004, giant tidal waves hit Thailand’s coast for the first time, killing thousands of people and shocking the whole country.
Many events will take place today in the tsunami-hit provinces to commemorate that tragedy. A seminar on disaster-preparedness will be held in Phuket.
