Angry seas cause closure of Phuket beaches
With the weatherman yesterday warning of more pounding downpours and roiling seas, the island resort of Phuket has been lashed by unusually high tides that prompted authorities to close the beaches to visitors.
The Meteorological Department said the southwest monsoon over the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand had caused widespread showers over the country and heavy rain especially in the upper North's Mae Hong Son, Chiang Rai, Nan, Chiang Mai, Lamphun and Tak provinces.
Gale winds and large swells remain in the Andaman Sea, the department said. All vessels in the area should proceed with caution. Arun Kerdsom, the provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation chief, said on Thursday that the tides had peaked at three to four metres at all beaches, ruining beachside shops and residences.
Officials were sent to help people move to higher ground and to warn tourists at attractions not to swim or play in the ocean. As for the wave-damaged seaside restaurants in Thalang district that remained closed, local authorities will assess the losses to pay compensation, he said. The waves smashed into nine restaurants along Hat Saikaew in Chat Chai Pier on Friday morning, overturning tables and chairs and washing away the concrete foundations. No injuries were reported from the restaurants, which are constructed of bamboo and corrugated zinc.
While authorities said the waves were unrelated to recent seismic activity and were just the result of normal tidal conditions and strong monsoon winds, the tidal waves created fear of another tsunami among some residents of West Coast beaches.
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