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Tourists sway as strong waves hit boats and pontoon on Thai island

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This is the dramatic moment tourists were shaken as strong swells rocked boats and a pontoon on a Thai island.

Holidaymakers braved the wobbly water conditions to board the speedboats and wooden longtail vessels at Loh Sama Bay on Koh Phi Phi on January 11.

Footage shows dozens of vacationers aboard the plastic pontoon when a surge of waves, reaching 9.8 ft (3m) caused the platform to move uncontrollably like a fairground ride.

This caused the group to fall and tumble on the surface, many of them clinging on to avoid falling into the ocean.

Upon seeing this, other holidaymakers crowded on the dock and moved back toward the shore.

Ken Pawaret, a conservationist at the Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, said: ‘Tourists should always check the weather forecast before travelling.'

He added that no injuries or casualties were reported despite the poor weather.

The Thai Meteorological Agency reported that the northeast monsoon was prevailing over the Gulf of Thailand, southern Thailand, and the Andaman Sea. The weather system was forecasted to churn up waves up to 10ft until January 18.

Local authorities temporarily banned swimming and tourist boats at Koh Phi Phi due to strong winds and rough seas the following day.

Red flags were placed along beaches in several tourist areas to ensure visitor safety.

Additionally, rescuers, life-saving equipment, and patrol boats were on standby to provide immediate assistance in case of any incidents.

The Southern Meteorological Centre (West Coast) issued a warning about a strong northeastern monsoon covering the Gulf of Thailand, the southern region, and the Andaman Sea.

This weather pattern is causing heavy rain in some areas of the south.

In the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, waves are expected to be strong, reaching 6.6–13 ft (2 to 4 m), or over 13 ft (4 m) in areas with thunderstorms.

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