Flood kills 107 in upper Thailand; eight more deaths reported in South

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department on Wednesday reported 107 deaths from flooding in 20 provinces in the upper regions of the country from Oct 10 to Nov 2 with eight more deaths recorded in southern flooding this week.

The department said the highest number of deaths was reported in the northeastern provinces of Nakhon Ratchasima and 13 deaths recorded in both Nakhon Sawan and Lop Buri. It reported 19 out of 38 provinces hit by floods from Oct 10 to Nov 3 remain under water. Nearly 6 million residents of 38 provinces were affected by the floods.

Meanwhile, it said ten provinces in the South have been flooded from Oct 30 to Nov 3 due to heavy rain triggered by a tropical depression.

Four people were confirmed dead from drowning as floods hit Nakhon Si Thammarat, while heavy rain continued in the province, resulting the rising of water level in the provincial seat.

The body of a 79-year-old man, identified as Charas Dechsuk, was found Wednesday after he disappeared while observing his rice field Tuesday evening.

Mr Charas is the fouth death in Nakhon Si Thammarat flooding.

Two deaths were also reported in Chumphon where torrential flood have severely hit its six districts including Lamae, Phato, Lang Suan, Pathiu, Tha Sae and Sawi. Roads were cut off. Passenger boat services were suspended, while hundreds of fishing boats were stranded at sea.

In Trang, the Trang River spilled over its banks and inundated thousands of homes. The death toll in Trang flooding rose to two on Wednesday after a 46-year-old man was confirmed dead after he drowned while fishing.

Meanwhile, HTMS Chakri Naruebet aircraft carrier, containing relief supplies, arrived Wednesday at Ko Nu in Songkhla for the distribution of 2,000 relief packages to flood victims.

Their Majesties the King and Queen also donated Bt2million (US$66,000) to the Royal Thai Airforce to buy necessities for flood victims.

The king has given more than Bt25 million (US$830,000) to assist people affected by flooding so far. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2010-11-04

Crickey, an Aircraft Carrier to deliver 2000 food parcels!

along with hundreds of soldiers to provide disaster relief efforts...or would you rather have disaster relief be administered by driving through flooded roads to hamper and slow down the effort?

English sarcasm is really starting to get old.