A Thai police officer warns tourists about a swimming ban due to a weather warning at a beach of Koh Samui Island, Surat Thani province

Tropical Storm Pabuk is set to bring 40mph winds, heavy rains and dangerously high waves to a number of tourist spots on Friday, including the islands of Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.

Tens of thousands of tourists have reportedly escaped popular resort islands in Thailand ahead of the first tropical storm to hit the country's southern shores in almost 30 years.

Thai authorities suspended ferry services and began evacuations on Thursday as the storm bears down during the country's peak tourism season.

Rain was already falling around the Gulf of Thailand and officials warned that torrential downpours, strong winds and rough seas were expected in 16 provinces when Pabuk makes landfall late on Friday.

There are fears that the storm will be the worst to hit Thailand since 1989, when Typhoon Gay left more than 400 dead.

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