Foreign Ministry warns Israeli tourists of impending typhoon in Thailand
Tropical storm Pabuk approached southern Thailand with winds of up to 65 kph (40 mph), bringing high waves and gusty winds ahead of its expected landfall on Friday.
By REUTERS, JERUSALEM POST STAFFA view of central Bangkok, Thailand September 3, 2015(photo credit: JORGE SILVA / REUTERS)
The Foreign Ministry warned Israelis in Thailand and those planning to travel there in the near future about a typhoon expected to land in the south of the country on Friday evening, the first tropical storm to hit the area in three decades.Thousands already in Thailand fled inland to seek shelter from the impending storm.Thailand canceled all flights to Koh Samui, a popular island holiday destination, battened down beachside resorts and evacuated offshore oil rigs as the first tropical storm in nearly 30 years menaced its southern shores on Thursday.Tropical storm Pabuk approached southern Thailand with winds of up to 65 kph, bringing high waves ahead of its expected landfall on Friday. The winds churned up high waves throughout the Gulf of Thailand ahead of itsThe Thai Meteorological Department warned of heavy downpours and strong winds in several provinces, including those with popular island destinations such as Phuket and Krabi.Some hotel operators reported early checkouts, and said they were prepared.“Since the morning we have prepared sand bunkers and we have barricaded glass windows. We have also prepared first aid kits, torches, water, food and fuel for the hotel’s power generator,” said Ampawan Taopheng, manager of Lub D Koh Samui on Chaweng Beach.She added that other hotel operators had made similar preparations.PTT Exploration and Production Pcl also said it had suspended operations at Bongkot and Erawan, two of the country’s biggest gas fields in the Gulf of Thailand.“Our immediate and urgent task is to do everything in our power to ensure safety and well-being of staff,” the company said.
