RANTAU PANJANG: What was supposed to be a fun first holiday abroad for six best friends turned into an experience they will never forget when devastating floods struck Hat Yai on Nov 22.
For Asrul Mohamad, 33, the trip had been months in the making.
He and his childhood friends — all from Kelantan but working in Kuala Lumpur — had chosen Hat Yai as their first overseas destination together, drawn by its food, shopping, and the lively weekend atmosphere that Malaysians love.
“We were excited as most of us had never been to Hat Yai before. This was a big moment for us,” he said.
Speaking at Rantau Panjang’s Immigration, Customs, Quarantine, and Security Complex (ICQS) today, the self-employed man from Kubang Kerian expressed gratitude that he and his friends had returned safely to Malaysia last week.
Recalling the incident, Asrul said they arrived in Hat Yai on Nov 20, when heavy rain began to overwhelm the southern Thai province, triggering severe flooding in the city two days later.
“We rented a homestay there and were trapped with thousands of other Malaysians.
“Roads were cut off, electricity supplies were disrupted, and many hotels were left without power.
“We never expected the situation to worsen so quickly. One night we were enjoying the night market, and the next morning the whole street was underwater,” Asrul said.
The six friends were stuck in their hotel for days, relying on limited food supplies and updates from local authorities.
Their families back home grew increasingly worried as communication became difficult.
Asrul recalled how the group tried to stay calm and support one another.
“We kept reminding ourselves that we were safe as long as we stayed together.
“We saw how hardworking the Thai rescue teams were. Even though they were facing a disaster, they still checked on us and did their best to help,” he added.
After nearly a week, the group finally managed to evacuate with the help of local volunteers and Malaysian authorities coordinating the rescue efforts.
They arrived safely at the Bukit Kayu Hitam checkpoint on Nov 27.
The moment they crossed into Malaysia, Asrul felt immense relief.
“It was the longest journey of my life.
We went there as six friends seeking adventure, but we returned with a deeper appreciation for life, our families, and each other,” he said.
Despite the ordeal, Asrul said the experience strengthened their friendship.
“We went through something big together. And yes, once things are back to normal… we still want to go back to Hat Yai,” he said with a laugh.
Asrul’s car, which was submerged during the floods in Hat Yai, arrived at the checkpoint around 2pm today.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
