THOUSANDS of tourists fled Thai islands before Tropical Storm Pabuk made landfall in the country.

However, with ferries and flights now stopped, thousands more are stranded on popular tourist spots such as Koh Samui and Koh Phangan.

While the storm could blow over by January 5, it's expected that services will not be back to normal until January 8 in some places.

So if you're stuck in Thailand due to Tropical Storm Pabuk, here is the current advice from experts:

Current advice from the FCO

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office updated its travel advice to Brits on January 4.

It said: "Tropical Storm Pabuk made landfall on the southern coast of Thailand at 12:45 local time on 4 January 2019.

"This is affecting boat sailings and flights in affected areas, which may include Surat Thani (Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Tao), Chumporn, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phuket, Krabi, Trang, Ranong, Phang Nga, Satun and Song Khla, as well as Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat.

"You should check your travel plans with transport providers before leaving your hotel or home, follow instructions from local authorities and monitor weather warnings from the Thai Meteorological Department."

It added: "You can also find advice on our Tropical Cyclones page.

"If you need to contact local emergency services, call 1155 (tourist police) or 1669 (emergency medical services)."

What should tourists do if they find themselves stuck on the islands and unable to leave?

Asia and the Middle East travel expert Tom Smith said: "It's important that all travellers in the area are highly vigilant and take all necessary precautions.

"Monitor the local weather forecast using an electronic device, speak to staff at your hotel or resort about the evacuation procedure, note down the emergency contact details for your local embassy, and make sure that you have your travel insurance policies and details to hand."

Local advice on Koh Samui

Local officials have advised of several evacuation points on Koh Samui.

This includes Wat Chaeng Temple, Baan Anythong School, Wat Lamai School, Baan NaKai School, Wat Sawangarom Temple, International College of Tourism, Plai Laem Temple, Bai Yoke Hotel, Theeparatwittaya School, Wat Nara Jareonsuck Temple, Koh Samui School and Wat Kunnaram Temple.

The Sun's Dan Wootton, who is currently stranded on Koh Samui, explained the situation was "getting worse" as the storm is expected to get bigger in the next few hours.

Emergency repatriation consultant Ian Paterson told Sun Online Travel that ferry services to and from Koh Samui are expected to stay suspended until Saturday.

He added: "The next available public flight to book from Koh Samui airport is not until 8th Jan at 6am."

What’s happening in Koh Phangan

Travel blogger Jordan Bishop, who is currently on Koh Phangan, told Sun Online Travel that all of the ferries to Koh Phangan have also been suspended and a maximum alert had been issued by the government.

He said: "About an hour ago, a maximum alert was issued, which shows that the government knows the severity of the storm yet still can't do much about it.

Many tourists are now stuck on the islands as the storm approaches

"Ban Pak Trae, one of the seaside villages on the mainland (in Songkhla), was flooded by torrential downpours last night.

"The cell network is down on much of the island, as is electricity in many places.

"Some spots on the island have solar panels, and are now running off of batteries, but a large portion of the island is currently blacked out."

"The waves are also getting stronger. It seems that things will continue to get worse before they get better."

What to do if you're planning to go to Thailand soon

Independent travel expert Frank Brehany told Sun Online Travel: "For holidaymakers intending to travel to this area, they should seek the advice of their travel companies and also search local news to determine whether the infrastructure has been severely damaged.

"This point is important because extensive damage to facilities could render your holiday unavailable.

"If holidaymakers find that this is the case, then they should read how they can cancel their holiday using he rights contained in the new Package Travel Regulations.”

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Tropical Storm Pabuk has been called the "worst storm of a generation".

Sun Online reported that the region is expecting 22ft high waves and winds of up to 100mph.

Officials have also warned about the risk of flash floods.

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