Thailand braces for powerful tropical storm Pabuk expected to pound beach resorts during peak season

Thai men push a fishing boat off the ocean to a safer location in Songkhla, Thailand in preparation for storm weather conditions on Thursday, Jan. 3, 2019. (AP Photo/Sumeth Panpetch)

Thai authorities have suspended ferry services and begun evacuations ahead of a powerful tropical storm that is expected to pound the country's southern beach resorts during a peak tourism season.

Rain is already falling around the Gulf of Thailand and officials warned that torrential downpours, strong winds and rough seas are forecast in 16 provinces when Tropical Storm Pabuk makes its expected landfall on Friday.