Summer storms ravage Thailand, destroying 1,800 homes in 10 provinces

Over the weekend, summer storms caused extensive damage in the northeast and south of Thailand, damaging approximately 1,800 homes in ten provinces. As a result, authorities continue to search for crew members from stricken trawlers off the coast of Nakhon Si Thammarat.

The storms affected 235 villages across Amnat Charoen, Surin, Chaiyaphum, Sakon Nakhon, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Roi Et, Kalasin, Surat Thani, and Nakhon Si Thammarat provinces, resulting in damage to a total of 1,781 houses throughout the country.

In addition, the search for missing crew members of fishing boats that were out at sea during the storms continued yesterday. Two navy patrol boats and a helicopter from Wing 7 in Surat Thani joined the mission off the coast of Nakhon Si Thammarat, Bangkok Post reported.

Officials reported that out of the 48 boats which went out to sea from Pak Phanang district over the weekend, ten capsized due to the storm.

Three individuals were rescued from the sea in waters off Pak Phanang district by helicopter. However, one person was found dead in the Si Chon district, bringing the death toll from the storms to three as of yesterday.

Meanwhile, in the Tha Sala district, rescue workers managed to save all crew members of three fishing boats which capsized because of the storm.

Out of the 16 crew members of eight boats that departed Mueang district over the weekend, one died due to the storm.

In Sichon district, one trawler went out with four crew members. Three of them were rescued, but a missing crewmember was feared dead.

In Surat Thani, ferry services between the mainland and Koh Samui and Koh Pha Ngan remain unaffected, although one ferry docked at a pier took in water, prompting the closure of two piers.

Marine officials instructed Racha Ferry Co to close F1 and F2 piers until repairs were completed to the partially submerged ferry to prevent oil from spilling out.

The ferry is expected to be removed from the pier in the next two days.