Thai islands brace for tropical storm

BANGKOK, Thailand - Thai authorities suspended ferry service and began evacuations on Thursday ahead of a powerful tropical storm that is expected to pound the Southeast Asian nation's famed southern beach resorts.

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

"There will be heavy rainfall and we have to prepared for flooding or an impact on transportation," Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said. "We are ready ourselves but if the rainfall is high we will need some time to resolve problems."