Big waves affect hundreds in South

At least 20 homes in Ban Ba-reh, Ban Koh Yao, Ban Pula Wangya Ngeh and Ban Kubae Leudee villages were damaged by waves on Monday. So, soldiers, police and administrative officials were sent yesterday to help repair seriously damaged houses. This tambon was first hit by high waves in December 2014, when almost 100 homes were damaged.
Out of the 125 families affected this time, 41 families or 130 people sought refuge at the local authority’s multi-purpose building, where an army field kitchen was also set up for them. The rest stayed with relatives.
The relief bags were delivered by provincial Governor Sitthichai Sakda and Colonel Somdech Yotha, from Galyani Vadhana Military Camp.
The strong winds/waves, which began hitting the coast earlier this week, also caused a Singapore-bound vessel carrying 3,000 tonnes of rocks to sink off Narathiwat coast yesterday.
In Surat Thani province, local authorities installed red flags along beaches, prohibiting people from swimming, while 20 homes were also damaged by 3-4 metre waves on Monday.
In Nakhon Si Thammarat province, several beachside communities were affected by strong waves, which also caused dozens of boats to sink offshore. As of yesterday, fishermen in Nakhon Si Thammarat’s Tha Sala district continued clearing debris in Ban Nai Thung village and helped salvage 20 fishing boats that sunk. Acting head of Ao Tha Sala local fishing network, Charoen Toh-etae, called on the government to set up a better warning system for such disasters in the face of climate change and to provide remedial measures for affected villagers.
In Pak Phanang district, also in Nakhon Si, four-metre waves continued crashing into the shore, eroding parts of the Pak Phanang-Hua Sai road and sweeping away two homes, as well as many beachside pine trees.
Tambon Than Phraya resident Umaporn Sriphetch whose house was destroyed by the waves, said this was the worst wind-related disaster so far to hit the coast. She said she’s now living with a neighbour, adding “I don’t want to live here anymore. I think more waves and bigger ones will hit this area again.”
Fourth Army chief Lt-General Wiwat Pathompak yesterday presented relief bags and basic necessities to 200 affected families at Bang Koh Tang in Tha Phraya, while senior military officer Colonel Athiwat Feungsang led soldiers to help residents move their belongings and clear damaged homes.
In Krabi, police and military officers are looking for ways to send food and drinking water to 10 fishermen after strong waves forced them to anchor their long-tail boats at Koh Mha – between Koh Lanta and Koh Phi Phi – since Friday.