PETALING JAYA: Malaysia thanked Thailand for swiftly evacuating and supporting Malaysians stranded by floods, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (pic).
The Prime Minister said the prompt and thoughtful actions reflect the enduring strength of both nations.
“I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Prime Minister of Thailand Anutin Charnvirakul and the government of Thailand,” he said.
Anwar said their assistance and compassion helped Malaysians stranded by the recent floods in affected areas.
“This prompt and thoughtful action reflects the enduring strength of our bilateral relations and the spirit of solidarity we value,” he added on Thursday (Nov 27).
Anwar said Malaysia and Thailand will continue working closely to safeguard the safety, welfare and well-being of their peoples.
Thousands of people, including Malaysians, remain stranded in Hat Yai due to high water levels and strong currents, said Wisma Putra on Wednesday (Nov 26).
The Foreign Ministry said coordinated rescue efforts are making steady progress and will continue until all Malaysians are safely evacuated.
A team from the Malaysian Embassy in Bangkok arrived in Hat Yai on Tuesday evening to strengthen operations on the ground, it said.
Working with Malaysian NGOs and the Royal Thai Army, teams are delivering medicine, food and clean water to Malaysians in critical need.
Evacuations are being carried out wherever conditions allow, it added.
On Tuesday (Nov 25), Anutin signed a declaration announcing a state of emergency in Songkhla due to catastrophic flooding.
The flooding caused unprecedented damage, severely affecting daily life and endangering residents while damaging public and private property on a large scale.
Wisma Putra said operations will continue until all registered Malaysians have been safely evacuated.
The ministry said it is closely monitoring severe flooding in Hat Yai and surrounding districts through its missions in Songkhla and Bangkok.
Malaysians in affected areas were advised to remain indoors where possible, stay vigilant and follow instructions from local authorities and rescue personnel.
The ministry urged Malaysians who have not registered with the Consulate General in Songkhla or the Embassy in Bangkok to do so immediately.
“This is to ensure they can be contacted promptly and provided with assistance when needed,” said Wisma Putra.
