Floods Endanger Ancient Temples In Central Region

[george]

Floods endanger ancient temples in central region

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's floods are affecting monks and temples--some of the latter being national archeological heritage sites -- in a number of central plains provinces.

According to TNA correspondents reporting from the region, over 100 temples in the central provinces are damaged and submerged.

In Nakhon Sawan, where civilians and the authorities are working together to battling to contain the inundation, help has also been mobilised to drain water from Wat Koh-hong to stave off possible damages to the main chapel.

The Fine Arts Department has only recently finished the restoration of this temple using a budget of Bt5 million due to its historical importance.

In Suphan Buri, several famous temples including Wat Khae, Wat Pranon, Wat Praloy have been submerged as water levels in the Tajeen River continue to rise.

In Sing Buri province. battling its most severe floods in years, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation found 57 temples under waters. As a result, monks could not go out for alms collection.

In Ang-thong province, 60 temples are reported to be flooded, including one which is the site of a priceless 400-year old reclining Buddha image.

--TNA 2006-10-16