GEORGE TOWN: Malaysians have been advised to postpone holiday plans to Hat Yai for now, with clean-up efforts still ongoing and hospitals operating at full capacity following last month’s floods.
Malaysia’s Consul-General in Songkhla Ahmad Fahmi Ahmad Sarkawi said while most main roads and some hotels have reopened, many shops selling food and daily necessities remain closed as repairs are ongoing.
He warned of the spread of waterborne diseases in the aftermath of the floods, adding that local hospitals were currently prioritising local folk.
“If Malaysians fall ill while in Hat Yai, they may face delays in receiving treatment as hospitals are operating at full capacity,” he said when contacted.
Ahmad Fahmi said Malaysians could instead consider travelling to other Thai destinations such as Krabi or cities along the west coast.
He urged Malaysians not to travel to the four southern provinces of Thailand – Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and Songkhla – as heavy rains linked to the north-east monsoon were bringing persistent showers and a risk of flash floods at least until today.
Though flood-stricken Hat Yai is gradually recovering, tourist arrivals remain sharply affected.
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Hat Yai-Songkhla Hotels Association president Dr Sitthipong Sitthiphataraprabha said the situation in the city had stabilised, with about 30% of hotels having reopened so far.
“Some hotels in the city and on the outskirts have reopened and are now receiving guests.”
Sitthipong said more hotels were expected to reopen within one to two weeks, with about 50% likely to be operational in time for the New Year and all hospitality establishments expected to be up and running by the Chinese New Year period.
He said Hat Yai district was among the hardest hit, with about 95% of hotels severely affected by the floods, including structural damage and impacts on guest rooms that require at least a month of repairs and city restoration.
“The main roads are now clear of debris, but we are still facing issues with waste from homes undergoing renovation due to flood damage,” he said.
Sitthipong, who assisted volunteers in evacuating hotel guests during last month’s floods, said a press conference would be held to announce New Year celebration events, adding that the city was preparing to welcome back tourists.
The floods forced SEA Games events scheduled from Dec 9 to 20 to be relocated from Songkhla to Bangkok.
Insurance agent and tour operator Lee Chia Loon, 50, said many Malaysian tourists had shifted their travel plans to Phuket and Krabi, adding that many now purchase vehicle insurance and drive directly to Krabi using highways that bypass the flood-affected Hat Yai district.
Insurance and travel agent Mohd Hazrizal Abdul Halim, 26, said he expected a 10% to 20% decline in his business.
“Most of my customers are from middle-income households, and they prefer Hat Yai because it is affordable,” he said, adding that the weeks leading up to Christmas and New Year were usually when customers made their travel purchases.
