Malaysian rescue operations in flooded southern Thailand proceed more smoothly, though communication issues and dangerous conditions persist.
PUTRAJAYA: Rescue operations for Malaysians stranded in southern Thailand proceeded more smoothly today following improved weather and receding floodwaters.
Foreign Ministry Communications and Public Diplomacy Division secretary Zamshari Shaharan said Malaysian rescue teams faced significant risks in inundated areas.
He identified Hat Yai Railway Station and parts of the city centre as among the worst affected locations.
“Although water levels in some areas have receded, the currents remain strong,” he said during a briefing today.
Zamshari noted certain routes were too shallow for boats yet too deep for vehicles.
Large submerged objects including cars and furniture further complicated rescue movements.
Communication posed one of the biggest challenges as phone and internet coverage was frequently disrupted.
Due to Thai security regulations, communication devices such as walkie-talkies were not permitted.
“Our teams had to rely solely on mobile phones,” Zamshari explained.
Updates from field personnel were sometimes received only two hours later due to network issues.
Inaccurate information from the public further complicated operations according to the ministry.
Families in Malaysia often reported relatives’ whereabouts based on outdated messages.
“This sometimes led our team to arrive at locations that had already been vacated,” he said.
Rescue teams would immediately turn back when new reports came in despite challenging conditions.
Zamshari expressed appreciation to various non-governmental organisations assisting the operation.
These included volunteer fire brigades, the Malaysian Red Crescent, and United Sikhs Malaysia.
FTC Insurance provided buses to transport hundreds of Malaysians daily to Bukit Kayu Hitam.
The operation will continue until every identified area is confirmed clear of stranded Malaysians.
“We will see this through to the end,” Zamshari affirmed.
“As long as new information comes in, the team will continue to mobilise.”
Malaysians requiring consular assistance may contact the Foreign Ministry’s operations room.
The ministry provided contact details for its Putrajaya operations room and diplomatic missions in Thailand.
The Malaysian Embassy in Bangkok and Consulate General in Songkhla remain available for assistance.
