MALAYSIAN TOUR GROUP STRANDED IN FLOOD-HIT HAT YAI

KANGAR, Nov 22 (Bernama) -- Ten members of a Cuti Cuti Langkawi Sdn Bhd delegation on a tourism networking visit to southern Thailand have been stranded in Hat Yai following floods in the area.

The group entered Thailand via the Padang Besar border checkpoint yesterday for a Langkawi-Southern Thailand tour package visit before floodwaters began rising in Hat Yai later in the afternoon.

The company’s general manager, Dr Baharin Baharom, who is leading the group, said they have remained at their hotel since yesterday evening as the surrounding area is flooded.

“At about 10 am today, the electricity supply to the hotel was cut off, and the management informed us that a generator would be used in case of emergency,” he told Bernama when contacted.

He said the hotel, with the help of local Thai travel agents, provided free halal meals for lunch and dinner to all stranded tourists.

“For now, we are waiting for further updates from the Thai authorities. A text messaging system is being used to send the latest information directly to our mobile phones,” he added.

Earlier, Bernama reported that the Malaysian Consulate in Songkhla advised Malaysians to postpone travel to southern Thailand due to floods inundating the province.

Malaysians in southern Thailand have been urged to stay alert to weather developments, follow announcements and instructions from local authorities, and ensure their personal safety.

For any consular assistance, they can contact officers on duty at +66 81 990 1930 or via email at mwsongkhla@kln.gov.my.

-- BERNAMA