On Friday, December 9th, authorities warned residents of the eastern coast of southern Thailand to get ready for heavy downpours and flash flooding. The bad weather conditions should continue to affect the region until at least December 12th. The worst hit areas will be Prachuab Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung and Songkhla. Moreover, the rains are also likely to cause landslides, leading to transport disruptions across the area.
During this year, Thailand has faced its worst flooding in decades. Over the past months, floods have devastated large parts of the country and are still affecting several provinces, including some districts of Bangkok. According to the latest reports, floods have claimed at least 677 lives and destroyed the houses of some 13.4 million people. In most of Thailand, the monsoon runs from May to October, with September and October being the peak of the rainy season. In the south-eastern part of the Thai peninsula, the monsoon runs from November to March.
People travelling to Thailand are advised to avoid all the flooded areas. Confirm all your travel arrangements as transport disruptions could spontaneously occur. Listen to all recommendations given by local authorities. Moreover, travellers must be aware that several western embassies advise their citizens against all but essential travel to some regions of Thailand, including the southern provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and Songkhla, where an Islamic insurgency is going on. Get informed before your departure.
