HAT YAI, THAILAND – A massive flood wave swept across southern Thailand and left hundreds of foreign tourists trapped in hotels in the city of Hat Yai.
Tourists cut off as floodwaters rise
The situation in Hat Yai was described as dramatic, with hundreds of Malaysians stuck in their hotels and completely cut off from the outside world since the previous night.
“There is no proper food. We are completely dependent on bread, and even that is extremely scarce,”
said a distressed student quoted by the New Straits Times.
Hotel surrounded, guests in the dark
Floodwater had already reached the ground floor of the Wangburapa Grand Hotel, forcing guests to remain on the fifth floor in total darkness after the power failed. According to those affected, even four-wheel-drive vehicles could no longer reach the building because the water was too deep.
“Even four-wheel-drive vehicles cannot get through, the water is too deep,”
said one of those trapped.
University group stranded after exchange visit
Among the stranded were four lecturers and 36 students from Universiti Utara Malaysia, who had taken part in a cultural exchange program. They had been scheduled to fly home the previous day, but now found themselves literally trapped in the flooded city. Malaysian media reported increasingly precarious conditions for the group as supplies ran low.
Rescue efforts hindered by ongoing rain
The Thai news service Thai PBS had informed local rescue units about the Malaysians’ plight. However, persistent heavy rain turned each attempted rescue into a life-threatening operation as water levels continued to rise.
“So far we have not received any food aid from any side,”
said one student in a late-night message.
Evacuation routes blocked
The hotel was surrounded on all sides by floodwaters, and the main roads were no longer passable, making evacuation almost impossible. Rescue teams faced a major challenge, as boats could not be used due to strong currents in the area. For the Malaysians trapped in the flood zone, time was running out: the longer the rescue took, the more dangerous their situation became.
Dozens reportedly stuck without basic supplies
Reports from the flooded city spoke of about 40 people shut inside the hotel without electricity or running water. Food stocks were dwindling, the streets remained impassable, and the high water continued to rise, increasing pressure on Thai authorities to free the tourists from their perilous situation as quickly as possible.