Malaysian family stranded for a week in Hat Yai floods, forced to abandon submerged car but grateful for safe return and military rescue operation.
HAT YAI: A Malaysian family’s holiday turned to misery when their car was completely submerged during severe flooding in the southern Thai city.
Hajariah Daud, 40, expressed gratitude that she and her family returned safely to Malaysia after being stranded for a week in Hat Yai.
The housewife from Kota Kuala Muda said their Toyota Innova Zenix kept sinking deeper until it disappeared from view in the floodwaters.
“Our car had to be left in Hat Yai for now,” she told Bernama.
Hajariah found relief in her son’s decision to postpone his Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examinations until next year.
“He actually wanted to take his private SPM this year, but felt he was not ready,” she explained.
The family had entered Hat Yai on November 21 to spend the night before returning their daughter to Universiti Utara Malaysia in Sintok.
Incessant rain quickly flooded the area around Hat Yai Paradise hotel despite its elevated location.
“We got the ‘alert’ message but we didn’t understand it because it was in Thai,” Hajariah said.
They were stranded at the hotel with food supplies reduced to once daily after the first three days.
They collected rainwater for toilet use, ablution, showering and cooking during their ordeal.
” We all helped the hotel prepare food for all those stranded,” she added.
Thai military personnel rescued the family and other hotel guests on November 27, transporting them to the border.
“We crammed into a military truck so that more people could be saved,” Hajariah recalled.
The journey to the border revealed overturned and swept away vehicles along the route.
Despite the challenging situation, Hajariah appreciated the kindness shown by people of different races, religions and languages.
They worked together to survive until help finally arrived. – Bernama
