Storms that rode an unseasonably cold weather system into Pattaya last week sank boats, damaged houses and left people shivering in some of the coldest March days in memory.
Three fishing boats moored at the old Naklua Market and three ferries in Pattaya all sank amid high winds and seas in the March 16 storm. Waves up to 2 meters tall washed away beach chairs and umbrellas, causing more than 2 million baht damage.
The storm system was the leading edge of a cold front pushed out of Siberia by a high-pressure system above China. Temperatures plunged from more than 30 degrees March 16 to the upper teens, sending Thais scrambling for scarves and parkas and even long-time expats ditching their shorts and t-shirts for trousers and sweatshirts.
Residents point to what’s left of 81-year-old Muan Jitkawan’s house.
With another cold snap expected this week, the Pattaya Marine Office was alerting boat owners to pay close attention to flags that determine how many passengers boats can carry. During “red flag” conditions, boats carrying 150 passengers normally must cap loads at 100 guests.
Marine rescue officials noted there are only 42 personnel spread out over the Pattaya-Naklua-Jomtien Beach area and not all are available for work at the same time. With few applicants for open jobs, the marine rescue unit must work diligently on prevention of accidents, rather than having to respond to them.
Damage wasn’t confined the sea, however. Two houses on Naklua Beach were swamped by waves.
Muan Jitkawan, 81, said he and six others had been sleeping when the storm blew down their wooden shack. He estimated damage at 100,000 baht.
Deputy Mayor Wutisak Rermkitkarn visited Muan and 62-year-old Bunmee Bun-A-nan, whose house was also damaged, and donated 20,000 and bags of relief supplies to each the following day.
