Tourist islands shut down

SATUN Thailand’s Department of National parks has closed two popular tourists island, Tarutao and Adang, due to high tides and rough seas.

Thailand’s National News Bureau quoted the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plants Conservation saying the marine national parks and islands in the southern region have been pounded by three  to four-metre-high tides, while ferry boat service to the islands of Tarutao, Adang and Lipe have been suspended.

The three islands are popular with domestic tourists, but are also attracting backpackers keen to avoid crowded beach resorts and islands, particularly Samui and Phangan

Credit National New Bureau of Thailand

Temporary closures of the three islands was announced by the port authority and marine police. The ban on travel will remain in place until weather conditions improve.

Overland travel to southern destinations from Bangkok remains problematic even though floods are subsiding floods.

Tourists travelling south have been advised to check routes before departing as rail track and roads were submerged and some roads damaged. State Railway of Thailand is increasing services from 10 to 16 daily to the region now that the water is receding.

However the Bangkok-Yala-Bangkok express service is still suspended.

Nakhon Si Thammarat’s airport remained closed, Monday, as authorities evaluated the situation. To assist stranded passengers, the Department of Airports is working with Surat Thani Airport to add more flights to Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok. Passengers need to transfer to Surat Thani to connect with the flights.

sourced: traveldailynews.asia