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Thailand rescue efforts under way
The Thai Royal Navy, Bangkok Airways and Thai Airways have begun to airlift stranded tourists from rain-lashed islands in southern Thailand.
At least 21 people have been killed in flash floods which have swept through southern Thailand.
A massive landslide has destroyed an entire village on Krabi with many swept away by the torrent of water.
Bangkok Airways has operated 19 flights to carry about 2,000 passengers off the flood-stricken island of Koh Samui.
Thai Airways made three flights to Samui and transported 600 passengers who were stranded on the island after heavy flooding closed the island’s airport.
Up to 15,000 tourists have been stranded on the holiday island due to a low-pressure area that disrupted air and sea transportation.
According to the Bangkok Post, the Russian government has officially asked Thailand to rescue about 600 Russian tourists stranded on Samui and transfer them to a naval vessel.
The Royal Thai Navy has sent its aircraft carrier and two frigates to pick up tourists left stranded on islands in the Andaman Sea.
Nearly a million residents living in flood-hit areas in Thailand’s south have been left stranded with no access to land and air transport.
On Koh Samui, the island’s tourist association spokesman warned that food and fuel stocks could run low if the poor weather conditions continued.
The Thai Meteorological Department said "torrential rain with heavy falls" was expected to continue in the next one or two days.
Updating its travel advice today, the FCO advised against all but essential travel to the islands of Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.
It said British nationals on these islands should consider leaving if it is safe to do so.
British nationals who need urgent assistance can call the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on +44 (0)20 7008 5355 or the Thai Tourist Police on 1155 (+66 2 214 1956 if you are using a UK mobile in Thailand).
The FCO said there are power cuts and food and water shortages in some parts of Koh Samui. Some roads and towns, including coastal areas popular with tourists, are flooded.
Transport to and from and around the island is currently disrupted.
There are currently no ferry services between Surat Thani mainland/Samui Island/Phangan Island/Tao Island due to rough seas.
It advised travellers to check with their airline or tour operator for updates before departure.
By Bev Fearis
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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