PHUKET: The Marine Office Branch in Phuket will be enforcing safety measures after the Meteorological Department has announced caution to strong winds and high waves, while small vessels are prohibited from leaving shore.

Chief of the Marine Office Branch in Phuket, Phuriphat Teerakulpisut has said that the office is now enforcing safety measures to prevent accidents from the expected strong winds and high waves, announcing that vessels are not allowed to leave shore for this period and the closure of some beach areas.

According to the weather advisory from the Meteorological Department, strong wind and waves as high as four meters are expected in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand during 6-13 July 2015, due to the strong southwest monsoon.

Heavy rains are also expected in the eastern and the southern regions of Thailand.

Vessels in Phuket with lengths no longer than nine meters are now prohibited from leaving shore.

Some beach areas in the province, such as the entire area of the Kata beach, has been labeled as a ''red-flag'' area, prohibiting the public and tourists from swimming.

Tourists are urged to be cautious of the ''yellow-flag'' warning flag and ''red-flag'' swimming prohibition flag at beaches and to comply strictly with official announcements for their own safeties, as waves in some areas may be as high as two to four meters.

The Phuket Marine Office Chief also stated that beach guards are now being deployed to provide additional safety protection for tourists at Kata Beach from 8.30am to 6.30pm.

These guards will remain on patrol everyday until the risks have subsided.