Flooded roads leave 4,000 Malaysian tourists stranded in Songkhla

The Hatyai-Songkhla Hotel Association says the sudden rise in flood waters since Friday night has trapped thousands in hotels across Hatyai and other parts of Songkhla.

Malaysian visitors in Songkhla province are unable to return home by road because of rising flood waters. (X pic)

PETALINA JAYA:

 Flooded roads in southern Thailand have left about 4,000 Malaysian tourists stranded in Songkhla, as heavy rainfall continues to disrupt travel and cut off major routes.

Hatyai-Songkhla Hotel Association president Sitthipong Sitthiprapha said the sudden rise in flood waters since last night had trapped thousands of Malaysians in hotels across Hatyai and other parts of Songkhla.

“More than 4,000 Malaysian tourists have been stranded since last night, including those intending to return to Malaysia via Sadao as the main road from Hatyai to Sadao is impassable,” he said in a Bernama report.

“There are also Malaysian tourists unable to leave their hotels because of flooding in Hatyai town.”

Sitthipong said local authorities had begun providing food supplies and deploying boats to move stranded tourists to safer areas.

He said the number of Malaysian vehicles submerged in the floods remains unclear, but no casualties have been reported.

The Malaysian Consulate-General in Songkhla has advised Malaysians to postpone travel to southern Thailand because of the severe weather, ongoing heavy rainfall, and floods affecting many areas.

Consul-general Ahmad Fahmi Ahmad Sarkawi said continuous heavy rain had caused widespread flooding across the region, and travellers should delay their plans until conditions improve.

For consular assistance, Malaysians may contact officers on duty at +66 81 990 1930 or email mwsongkhla@kln.gov.my

For Wan Nur Asyikin W A’zemim, 33, a journalist and radio announcer with Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) Langkawi, the situation has become increasingly worrying as she and her family wait for help with dwindling basic supplies.

Travelling with her husband, their nine-month-old son, five-year-old daughter and four colleagues, she said what was supposed to be a short trip has quickly turned into an anxious ordeal.

“My baby is almost out of milk and diapers. My five-year-old daughter has very little food left.

“The children are hungry. We didn’t bring extra because we were supposed to go home tomorrow,” she said, adding that the hotel has since lost electricity supply, while phone and internet lines remain unstable.

“I have contacted the Malaysian consulate here. They told us the authorities have been informed and assured us that help will be sent soon.” - FMT