Tourists disembark from the HTMS Sukhothai
in Sattahip after being rescued from flood-ravaged resorts in Koh Tao
and Koh Phangan. Royal Thai Navy ships rescued more than 800 tourists
who had been stranded there during the recent foul weather.
Patcharapol Panrak
Two Sattahip-based Royal Thai Navy ships rescued more
than 800 tourists from flood-ravaged resorts in Koh Tao and Koh Phangan.
HTMS Chakri Naruebet took 700 Thai and foreign
tourists from Koh Tao to Juksamet Port March 31 while the HTMS Sukhothai
did the same for 125 tourists from 14 countries on Koh Phangan.
From the Sattahip Naval Base, the tourists were
transported to Bangkok airports and tourist-assistance centers.
The rescues became necessary after the same storms
that brought cold weather and occasional gale-force winds to Pattaya
pummeled Surat Thani Province, leaving a string of death and destruction
in the wake of incessant rain and rampant flooding. The two islands,
famous as the base of monthly “full moon parties,” suffered widespread
power outages, food shortages and property damage.
Soggy, exhausted tourists were shuttled to the
warships in small wooden and rubber boats, as the waters off the islands
were too shallow for the Navy vessels. Once on board, they were fed and
given relief supplies and offered medical assistance from Queen Sirikit
Hospital staff once back in Sattahip. All the tourists were welcomed to
dry land by top Navy officers and Chonburi Gov. Wichit Chatpaisit and
officials from the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
HTMS
Sukhothai approaches the pier in Sattahip.
The
HTMS Chakri Naruebet pulls into port in Sattahip.
Tourists are hoisted aboard the HTMS Chakri Naruebet just off the coast
of Koh Tao.
Soggy, exhausted tourists were shuttled to the warships in small wooden
and rubber boats, as the waters off the islands were too shallow for the
Navy vessels.
Tourists try to get comfortable below decks on the HTMS Chakri Naruebet.
Some
of the rescued passengers nap on the long haul from Koh Tao to Sattahip.
