INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Bangkok Airways cancelled all flights to and from popular holiday destination Koh Samui
as 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 and gusty winds ahead of its expected landfall on Friday.Bangkok Airways cancelled all flights to
and from popular holiday destination Koh Samui, potentially stranding tourists
Media also reported that ferry services to and from island were suspended.The Thai Meteorological Department warned of heavy downpours and
strong winds in several provinces, including those with popular island destinations such as Samui, Phuket and Krabi.Some hotel operators
reported a few early checkouts and said they were prepared."Since 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 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 country's biggest gas fields in Gulf of Thailand."Our immediate and urgent task is
to do everything in our power to ensure safety and wellbeing of staff," company said.(Except for headline, this story has not been edited by
TheIndianSubcontinent staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
