Extensive rain across Phuket today is increasing the demand for urgent help. Some communities have been completely cut off and are in need of food, water, clothing, survival bags, basic medical supplies and foldable mattresses.
The Phuket Flood Relief project is well underway, organised through the Phuket Hotels Association, as much need emergency supplies make their way into inundated areas on the island where people are unable to get either in or out. Volunteer teams have been getting into the worst affected parts of the island today, sometimes negotiating water more than 1 metre deep, to get to the worst affected communities.
To make matters potentially worse, Phuket 3 dam storages are close to full and management could mean additional flood woes for adjacent, low lying areas.
Parts of Thepkasattri Road, mostly in Thalang, have continued to suffer flood inundation, causing traffic chaos. People are still advised to allow plenty of time to get to Phuket Airport for flights, given potential delays on the main north/South Island road artery.
Around Samkong, alone, there are some 150 villages flooded and cut-off for the past 4 days. Residents are unable to get out. The Royal Thai Navy has been assisting get supplies and provisions into the stranded residents.
In the Bang Jo village, off Srisoontorn Road, a number of Burmese workers camps are completely flooded with 90% loss of all possessions. Nearby Blue Tree has already donated 200 meals today. Phuket’s Governor Narong Woonciew visited flood victims in Bang Jo and surrounding villages to voice support and identify emergency relief areas.
And the Southern Thailand Marriot Business Council have donated 10,000 meals over the next 4-5 days as well.
The Phuket Hotels Association also want to thank Ann Kitchen, Baan Fai Dang and the Intercontinental Hotel in Kamala.
“In particular we like to acknowledge the extremely generous donations from Blade Foundation (who donated $US15,000), and Necker Investments (who donated US$20,000). The help is already being put into action.”
The Australian Consulate General in Phuket and the British Embassy in Bangkok have also lent their resources to assist with volunteers and logistics to get the support where it’s urgently needed.
Here are the designated dropoff points, for bedding, clothes, food or water. PLEASE donate before 10 am on Thursday.
• Mai Khao – At Receiving Area, JW Marriott Phuket
Contact Person: Khun Petchari Pootapetch (Kai), Tel: 081 838 3298
• Kamala / Surin – Receiving Area, Mountain side – Intercontinental Phuket Resort
Contact Person: Khun Saranya Kularbwan (X), Tel: 096 6239 295
• Patong – Receiving Bay (Staff Entrance) Holiday Inn Resort Phuket
Contact Person: Khun Rapeeporn Thavorn, Tel 087 2814919
• Kata / Karon – Avista Grande Phuket Karon MGallery (TBC)
• Naiharn / South – Talent Center (HR Dept.) – The Nai Harn
Contact Person: Khun Nalinthipha Tansuttiwanit (Lin) or K. Boy, Tel: 076 380 200 ****Drop-off times 9 am to 5 pm
• Phuket Town – Second Lobby drop off – Courtyard by Marriott Phuket Town
Contact Person: Khun Darisa Pathtamapaneewong, Tel 084 3538 462 ****Drop-off times 10 am to 3 pm
• East Coast / Central – 5 Star Marine office
Contact Person: Khun Nat from Living Waters, Tel 081 272 3472 [email protected]
