Phuket Police urge motorist safety as car flips into canal, more wet weather forecast

PHUKET: Phuket drivers are urged to drive defensively during the current rainy weather, said Patong Police Superintendent Chiraphat Pochanaphan this afternoon.

“Wet roads have already caused several accidents in Phuket. Everyone should slow down while driving in rainy conditions,” he said.

The warning follows an early morning accident in Patong today when a car flipped over into the Pak Bang canal near Wat Suwan Khiri Wong (map here).

The driver of the car, Sayan Padungsak, 31, told the Phuket Gazette, “I had picked up one of my staff, Thaksain Bangnoon and was driving into Patong.

“The road was wet and I lost control. The next thing I knew, the car was upside down in the canal. Fortunately, we were able to open the door and escape. We’re both fine.”

Dark skies will prevail over Phuket for at least another few days, according to a Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) weather warning issued this morning.

Outfall from tropical storm Rumbia, now over Guangxi, China, will be providing Phuket and other provinces along the Andaman coast with isolated heavy rain.

Waves are expected to reach two meters in the Andaman Sea. All ships in the area should proceed with caution for the next few days, the warning said.

— Chutharat Plerin