Thailand Tropical Storm: Damage reported as tropical storm hits Thailand

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02:06

City streets and country roads were flooded on Friday as rain, wind and waves battered coastal villages and world-famous tourist resorts on southern Thailand's eastern coast. CGTN's Martin Lowe has more.

Pounding waves and stormy seas. A fisherman was drowned when his boat capsized, flights have been halted and ferries cancelled.

High winds have been bending trees, some have crashed onto people's homes. Flooding has been among the problems for thousands who've been forced to evacuate their homes and seek refuge in shelters, right across southern Thailand. Authorities though say they were prepared.

PORNTIP JANPHONG DEPUTY CLERK, KOH SAMUI "We warned people well in advance and we're providing support. We have equipment to clear trees that fall on homes or block roads and we're evacuating tourists and residents from coastal areas."

These are young football players whose training camp was flooded out. Now they're sleeping on the floor of a temple.

NOPPAWONG UDOM COACH, PROMAKER ACADEMY "The sea was getting rougher so we moved here for everyone's safety."

Here, people fled high winds which threatened to tear down their homes.

PREECHA KLOYKLAI EVACUEE "I'm scared the wind will blow the roof off my house so I came here to be safe."

KAILUMI MASO EVACUEE "I'm worried the wind will bring the trees down on my home. There are many trees around my house."

MARTIN LOWE KOH SAMUI, THAILAND "For many here it's been an uncomfortable few hours though conditions do appear to be slightly easing. There's been widespread flooding, but on this island no reports of injury or serious damage."

Thousands of holidaymakers fled from tourist islands as the unseasonal storm approached. This should be high season – but almost-deserted beaches will be a blow to Thailand's vital tourism industry.

Martin Lowe, CGTN, Koh Samui.