Tens of thousands of tourists have left the islands of Koh Phangan and Koh Tao ahead of Tropical Storm Pabuk.

Heavy rain, winds and high waves are expected to reach the islands, as well as Koh Samui on Friday night, before reaching the mainland.

According to the forecast, the storm will not develop into a typhoon.

"But we expect waves as high as five or seven meters near the eye of the storm. Normally in the Gulf of Thailand, waves are normally only two meters," said Phuwieng Prakammaintara, director general of the country's meteorological agency.

Source;TT