PREAH SIHANOUK: Preah Sihanouk Governor, Kouch Chamroeun, ordered authorities to employ five ships to return tourists to the mainland who had been stranded on nearby islands by unfavourable weather conditions for two days.
The governor made the order on the morning of July 17, claiming that the weather had finally settled down enough to safely transport tourists from the islands via ship. He advised authorities to remain vigilant during the transport despite the improved weather and ordered naval police officers to accompany the tourists, who must all wear lifejackets.
Governor Kouch Chamroeun issued a voice message on July 15 calling on all citizens and tourists to avoid travelling by sea due to dangerous weather conditions which could cause accidents.
He also advised the authorities to prevent citizens and fishermen from traveling by sea, saying that if they had travelled to the islands, they must contact the community or the authorities so that they can return to the mainland.
The Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology had issued a warning to coastal areas about the potential for strong winds and high waves. It said that starting on July 15, a typhoon would be entering the South China Sea and continuing to the north to the Vietnam Sea until July 19, causing rain and dangerous conditions at sea. The Ministry of Water Resources called on people to be vigilant about the incoming weather.
