Fewer than 500 Malaysians remain stranded in southern Thailand, says minister

KUALA LUMPUR: Fewer than 500 Malaysians remain stranded in flood-hit southern Thailand, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

He said 177 more people were rescued from Hat Yai this morning, and updates from the Malaysian Consulate show progress as waters in Old Hat Yai City recede.

Mohamad said this has allowed rescue teams and local volunteers to reach previously cut off areas.

“The floods in southern Thailand, especially Hat Yai, are very severe. Hotels and tourist areas are underwater,” he said.

“On Thursday (November 27), 177 Malaysians were evacuated,” added Mohamad.

He said officials on the ground report every three to four hours.

Among those rescued on Thursday (Nov 27) were Universiti Utara Malaysia lecturers and students.

They were trapped at a hotel in Old Hat Yai City where currents had blocked vehicles and boats.

Mohamad said that as of yesterday, more than 700 Malaysians had been evacuated from Hat Yai to Bukit Kayu Hitam.

By the end of Nov 25, some 2,204 Malaysians had crossed at Bukit Kayu Hitam, Sungai Burung and Wang Kelian.

He added that nearly 27,200 Malaysians left Thailand between Nov 22 and 25 as flooding worsened.

Rescue operations by the Malaysian Embassy and Consulate have moved 517 Malaysians from 22 locations.

He said these included hotels and homestays with support from the Royal Thai Army, Red Crescent, Malaysian NGOs and volunteers, addingmultiple bus trips ran from Hat Yai.

Mohamad said Malaysia had offered to send its own rescue teams.

He said Thai authorities said they could manage.

“Our volunteers from Perlis, Kedah and northern Perak are already helping on the ground,” he said.

He thanked the Thai government for its cooperation and said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has been in constant contact with his Thai counterpart.

Mohamad also said they are checking on Malaysians trapped by the floods.