PTTEP, Chevron evacuate staff ashore as Tropical Storm Sonamu approaching

NAKHON SI THAMMARAT, January 5 (TNA) - In response to Thailand's Meteorological Department's updated warning that Tropical Storm Sonamu is likely to move toward the Gulf of Thailand, petroleum companies drilling offshores in the South are evacuating their personnel and movable machines ashore via helicopters to avoid losses caused by the new storm. The companies include PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited (PTTEP), a subsidiary of PTT Public Company Limited (PTT), Thailand's largest petroleum firm, and US-Chevron (Thailand). Meanwhile, the flooding situation in Thailand's southernmost Narathiwat Province remained stable although downpours had stopped for two consecutive days, with dozens of houses, local farmlands and land routes in six communities of the Sungai Golok Municipality having been submerged under floodwater as high as 60-120 centimetres, following runoffs from highlands in Sukirin District overflowed the Sungai Golok River earler this week, forcing the evacuation of villagers in the affected areas who have received initial assistance from local military officers. (TNA)