Severe floods across Malaysia and southern Thailand are causing significant disruption to tourism, with authorities urging travellers to reconsider visiting the region.
As floodwaters continue to affect key infrastructure and the region still at risk of further flooding, Malaysian officials have recommended deferring trips until conditions improve.
Triggered by heavy monsoon rains, the floods have claimed over 30 lives and displaced tens of thousands, Associated Press reported.
They have also impacted popular destinations in both countries, like the cities of Songkhla and Hat Yai in Thailand.
According to the Bangkok Post, Songkhla Tourism Promotion Association President Songchai Mungprasithichai said floods had hit regional tourism hard, especially among Malaysian holidaymakers.
“Both tour groups and individual tourists cancelled their trips to Hat Yai during this weekend and next weekend. Even though Hat Yai was not affected, surrounding districts were inundated,” said Mr Songchai.
In Malaysia, the northeastern states of Kelantan and Terengganu have been hardest hit. Roads, rice fields and public facilities have been submerged, with damages estimated at 1 billion ringgit (around AU$330 million), AP reported.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the rainfall over five days equalled six months of typical monsoon rain, prompting mass evacuations and sheltering around 85,000 people in relief centres.
While the National Disaster Command Centre reports that the number of evacuees has decreased from 150,000, another monsoon surge is expected this week.
Meanwhile, in southern Thailand, at least 25 people have died, and over 300,000 households have been affected.
Schools and health facilities have been forced to close, and thousands remain in evacuation centres.
Authorities in both countries are bracing for more rain, with emergency crews on standby and shelters ready to accommodate additional evacuees.
Advice unchanged
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s (DFAT) overall travel advice level for Malaysia or Thailand remains the same, with the government advising Australians to “Exercise normal safety precautions” in Malaysia and “Exercise a high degree of caution” in Thailand.
According to DFAT’s Smartraveller website, the wet season in Southern Thailand is from November to March. During this time, “severe storms and widespread seasonal flooding can occur without warning”, including flash floods.
In Malaysia, DFAT states that “flooding and landslides are common during the wet season which is usually from October to February”.
Earlier this year, Thailand announced it would be doubling visa-free entry for visitors to 60 days, with the new measures enacted to help boost travel to the country.
