Santi Pawai, deputy permanent-secretary of the Tourism and Sports Ministry, said on Friday that the ministry has set up an operations centre to help tourists affected by the storm.

The centre, jointly run by state agencies and the private sector, will also keep a close eye on the situation.

The centre, manned by staff from the Tourist Assistance Centre and Tourist Police, will be available round the clock and can be reached via (02) 356 0662, (02) 356 0688, (065) 504 1484 and via fax at (02) 356 0655

Pabuk, the first tropical storm in decades to strike during the peak holiday season, is expected to make landfall on Friday evening.