Cynthia Choo’s “Plunge” into Phuket Paradise
Everyone’s daydreams about a tropical escape include a dreamy room with a private pool. Turns out Cynthia Choo’s reality hit a slightly different rhythm—she ended up swimming in her own room at Thavorn Beach Village & Resort.
When the Storm Hit
- Arrival: The flood began as heavy rain poured down on Oct 29, 9:30 pm, drenching the resort overnight.
- Realization: A diligent hotel staff member knocked on her door at 12:15 am, rousing Cynthia from a deep slumber to discover her room filled with ankle‑deep murky water.
- Companion: Her boyfriend assisted in the chaos—including a bout of food poisoning the following day.
Her TikTok video (link) captured the hilarious moment: a cramped room turning into an impromptu pool, complete with the opposite room also drowning in the same watery scene.
Beyond the Bed
The full extent of the calamity was revealed in another video (link): cracked pavements, a busted air‑conditioning compressor, and a resort pool overflowing with leaves and sediments.
Resort Rescue Mission
- Quick Move: The hotel promptly shifted the couple to a bigger room.
- Freebies: Complimentary breakfast and laundry services were tossed in.
- Organization: Staff carefully checked belongings, moved everything onto furniture, and helped repack anything that could fit into luggage—all while the storm raged on outside.
- Staff Heroism: No one was injured, and the team stayed up all night to knock on doors and ensure guests were safe.
Cynthia expressed deep gratitude: “I’m so sorry for the resort—repairing all that damage is tough, but the staff handled it calmly and efficiently.” She highlighted a fellow employee who had himself flooded at home yet still worked through the night for the guests’ safety.
What’s Going On in Thailand?
September and October brought heavy rain and tropical storms, flooding 59 of Thailand’s 77 provinces and affecting about 450,000 homes. In October, flash floods threatened eight southern provinces, with nearly 40 % of the country’s regions dealing with rising waters. Phuket itself also received a flash‑flood warning on Oct 16, disrupting local transport and tourism.
Diarrhoea from ‘dancing shrimp’
Two More Singaporeans Face a Summer Food Fiasco in Phuket
What Went Wrong?
A pair of travellers landed in Phuket for a quick escape, only to have the island’s culinary charm bite back hard.
- They ordered a local street‑food hit called “Dancing Shrimp” from the Chillva Night Market – a dish famed for its fiery kick.
- Within a day, the feast turned into a full‑blown food poisoning emergency: severe diarrhoea and a six‑hour vomiting marathon.
- To boot, the doctors gave them a double whammy: they tested positive for COVID‑19 as well.
When It Got Serious
Despite their best attempts to roll it off, the symptoms lingered. A few days later, the duo had to leave their suitcase for the hospital’s emergency ward.
The Bottom Line?
Phuket’s vibrant street food scene can sometimes be a double‑edged sword. While we love a good seafood bite, let’s remember to keep a little distance from stray street stalls – and carry that handy hand‑sanitiser for good measure.
Takeaway for Travelers
- Check the vendor’s hygiene and freshness before diving in.
- Keep your immune system on alert—especially when you’re away from home.
- And, most importantly, stay hydrated – the body needs your support more than you realise.
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