Phet Phangan Municipality asks everyone to stay out of the sea during the monsoon: waves and currents are dangerous
Phet Phangan Subdistrict Municipality has issued a warning for residents, tourists and tour operators: during the monsoon season the island’s shores see strong winds, high waves and powerful currents that are life-threatening.
Key safety rules from the municipality:
• do not swim in the sea when it is rough;
• do not go past protective barriers and do not ignore warning signs;
• parents — keep a close eye on children and do not let them swim alone;
• stay away from rocks and the shoreline where waves are breaking;
• keep an eye on weather forecasts and official safety updates.
This year’s rainy season on Phangan has been active: writes Degustator mira, the rain has been pouring non-stop, and in the comments residents are sharing videos of flooding.
Tourists spent 18 hours on Koh Ma — volunteers brought them out on jet skis
Around Koh Ma, opposite Mae Haad Beach, holidaymakers were stuck for nearly 18 hours on the small island, reports ZoneSamui. Torrential rain and high waves made it impossible for them to get back on their own. A team of volunteers on jet skis brought them over to the main part of Phangan. All the tourists are safe but exhausted. Local commenters noted that the November sea during the monsoon is especially dangerous, and reminded everyone of the risks of going into the water in bad weather.
American man and Israeli woman arrested at Samui airport over nominee companies
Surat Thani immigration police and Bo Phut investigators detained a US and an Israeli citizen right at Samui airport as they were returning to Thailand, writes ZoneSamui. They are accused of using Thai nominees for hidden financial operations and property deals on Phangan and Samui. The arrest is part of a large-scale operation against nominee shareholder schemes that allow foreigners to bypass restrictions on land and business ownership. Authorities on Phangan and in Bo Phut are paying special attention to these cases.
