Samui declared disaster zone after heavy rain

Samui declared disaster zone after heavy rain

It's all over the Thai TV news and in the local papers;

SURAT THANI: -- Heavy rain and flooding on the popular Gulf of Thailand tourist destination of Samui island are still severe and the island's airport has suspended operations.

Heavy downpours are continuing in the province for the third consecutive day.

Flood levels in some parts of the commercial centre and tourist sites on Samui are as high as one metre. Some roads have been cut off.

Samui airport suspended service Thursday morning due to heavy rain, and more than 1,000 travellers have been left stranded.

Meanwhile, ferry services to Samui island still operate as usual but the numberof cars being carried has dropped by half due to the bad weather conditions, according to an official at the waterfront.

--TNA 2007-11-08

KOH SAMUI: -- Samui island is declared disaster zone on Thursday after it was hit by heavy rain the night before.

The rain caused flood in several locations.

Water level on the main road is at 30 centimetre high.

Hundreds of tourists are left stranded as weather condition prevented aircrafts from taking off since late Wednesday.

Authorities are trying to pump water into river to alleviate the problem and prevent further flooding if rain comes again.

Surat Thani provincial office sent 170 soldiers into the island to assist locals and tourists.

-- Bangkok Post 2007-11-08