UPDATE 2: At around 7pm today (Sept 22) the Phuket Info Center page reported that several Phuket-bound flights had been unable to land on time due to bad weather. The scale of the disruption is unclear.
UPDATE 1: At 3.45pm today (Sept 22) the Office of National Water Resources (ONWR) issued a nationwide flood warning. All three district of Phuket (Mueang Phuket, Kathu, Thalang) has been listed among risk areas.
The Phuket-based South Western Meteorological Center (Phuket Met) issued its first weather warning on Thursday (Sept 21, warning 65/2023) and released the second iteration on Friday (Sept 22, 66/2023).
From Saturday (Sept 23) through Tuesday (Sept 26), the southwest monsoon over the upper Andaman Sea and Southern Thailand’s west coast is expected to intensify. Meanwhile, a low-pressure cell over the South China Sea will worsen conditions, causing heavy to very heavy rain in Phuket and nearby provinces.
"People should beware of these severe conditions," warned Phuket Met in a notice signed by Komsan Aonchai, titled in the document as the director of Phuket Met.
The Marine Department was more specific in its warning, targeting boat operators. According to the agency, waves in the Andaman Sea from Saturday through Wednesday (Sept 23-27) will average two meters but can reach six meters in thunderstorm areas.
All boats operating in the area are urged to exercise caution when setting sail and to avoid sailing during thunderstorms. Small boats should refrain from leaving the shore.
During the most recent period of rough seas, a small boat capsized near Ko Eaw, a small island located to the east of Phuket. Out of the four fishermen on board, two were rescued, and two died.
Following the incident, the Phuket Provincial Fisheries Chief Sittiphon Muangsong issued a special statement calling for operators of all small fishing boats to observe weather warnings and to remain ashore when advised.
“Please strictly follow the orders of the officials to reduce the loss of life that may occur,” he said.
Mr Sittiphon’s statement targetted all boat operators, especially those carrying ‘tourists’, ignoring bans on small boats putting to sea during periods of heavy weather throughout the southwest monsoon season.