Heavy rains have caused periodic flooding in a few provinces in lower-southern Thailand, including Chumphon, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung and Songkhla. Almost all are flash floods in mountainous areas, plus occasional localized flooding of low-laying land and areas near waterways and the coast. The flooding in these provinces is expected to subside within a few days as weather conditions improve.

The provinces affected by these floods are approximately 400-600 kilometers south of Bangkok and 950-1,200 kilometers south of Chiang Mai. Other tourist destinations within Thailand have not been affected by the floods.

Transportation links in Thailand are not affected by this periodic flooding, and are operating as per normal, including all airports, bus and train services in the South, and ferries to Koh Samui and Kho Pha-Ngan.

Tourist attractions in Hat Yai’s downtown, Koh Samui, Krabi, Phuket, and Trang are not affected by the floods. Events and festivals in southern Thailand are unaffected and are proceeding as scheduled, including:
•    Hat Yai International Lantern Festival, from 1 January - 30 April 2012.
•    Chinese New Year Celebrations in Hat Yai from 21-25 January 2012.
•    “Old Phuket Town” Chinese New Year Festival in Phuket from 28-30 January 2012.

Tourists planning to travel to the lower-southern provinces affected by the flooding are advised to check the latest weather forecasts for their destination and confirm arrangements with the transportation providers with which they will be travelling.


Useful Contact Numbers:
TAT Call Center:     1672 (8:00 – 20:00 hrs, everyday)
State Railway of Thailand (SRT) Call Center:     1690
Thai Meteorological Department:    http://www.tmd.go.th/en/

Source: TAT News

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