15 Malaysian tow trucks approved to retrieve over 200 vehicles stranded in flood-hit Hat Yai, with 45 vehicles recoverable daily
BUKIT KAYU HITAM: Fifteen Malaysian tow trucks have received special approval to enter Thailand and recover vehicles stranded by floods in Hat Yai.
Thai authorities granted the permission through the Consulate General of Malaysia in Songkhla following diplomatic discussions.
Thai insurance operator Ammar Wafiy Johari confirmed the breakthrough after Malaysian tow trucks were previously barred from operating in Thailand.
“We estimate there are more than 200 Malaysian vehicles stuck there following the floods since Nov 22,” he told reporters.
Fifteen vehicles have already been retrieved since operations began yesterday.
Approximately 45 vehicles can be recovered daily depending on their condition and accessibility.
Recovered vehicles will be stored at secure locations in Malaysia before being returned to owners.
Vehicle owners must provide road tax, insurance documents and customs forms to release their stranded vehicles.
Another insurance operator, Mohd Uzair Mohamad Daud, plans to request additional tow trucks from the consulate.
“Only 15 tow trucks have been approved, but I believe this is not enough because there are many vehicles to be recovered,” he said.
Each tow truck can handle only three to five vehicles daily due to challenging conditions.
Tow truck operator Mohd Akmal Aniq Shahabudin identified locating displaced vehicles as a major challenge.
Floodwaters have moved or swept away many vehicles from their original positions.
Loading a single vehicle onto a tow truck can take up to 90 minutes depending on its condition.
Some vehicles are blocked or trapped beneath other cars requiring careful extraction.
Operators use support tyres to protect salvageable components during recovery operations.
Malaysian Consul General in Songkhla Ahmad Fahmi Ahmad Sarkawi reported over 500 Malaysian-owned vehicles stranded in Hat Yai.
The Malaysian government formally requested permission for tow trucks to assist in vehicle recovery. – Bernama
