A tropical depression has caused widespread flooding in the southern provinces, stranding hundreds of thousands of people and forcing the suspension of train services.
Among the hardest hit areas is the Hat Yai district of Songkhla province.
Hat Yai Mayor Prai Pattano said that at least 100,000 people were affected by the flooding there and the water was 2 to 3 metres high.
Mr Prai said the situation is much more severe than the major flood that hit the city in 2000.
“No one had expected that the situation would be so critical, and therefore there was no evacuation of residents or tourists,” he admitted.
All 11 districts in the southern province of Phatthalung were declared flood disaster zones on Tuesday following heavy rains and flash floods overnight.
They are Muang Phatthalung, Bang Kaew, Khao Chaison, Khuan Khanun, Kong Ra, Pa Bon, Pa Phayom, Pak Phayun, Si Banphot, Si Nakharin and Tamot.
Surat Thani provincial governor Thirayuth Aiumtrakul on Tuesday afternoon declared 16 districts flood disaster zones, including the tourist islands of Samui and Phangan.
The districts are Muang, Kanchanadit, Don Sak, Pun Pin, Tha Chang, Chaiya, Tha Chana, Ban Nasarn, Viangsra, Prasaeng, Chai Buri, Khirirat Nilhom, Vibhavadee Rangsit, Phanom, Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, reports said.
Unconfirmed reports said that all power was out on the island of Samui in the afternoon.
In Nakhon Si Thammarat, six districts comprising of Muang, Sichon, Pak Phanang, Hua Sai, Lan Saka and Chang Klang have been declared flood disaster zones.
The State Railway of Thailand announced that heavy flooding has halted train servies in the lower South.
The SRT’s Public Relations and Tourism Service chief Nualanong Wongchan said trains running between Narathiwat’s Tanyongmat station and Sungai Kolok station had been closed temporarily due to safety concerns.
Mrs Nualanong said trains running to the South that could not complete their services are as follows;
Rapid train No 171 (Bangkok - Sungai Kolok) will stop at Nakhon Thammarat’s Thung Song station.
International express No 35 (Bangkok - Malaysia’s Padang Besar) will stop at Nakhon Thammarat’s Na Bon station.
Express train No 37 (Bangkok - Sungai Kolok) will stop at Nakhon Thammarat’s Khlong Chan Di station.
Rapid train No 169 (Bangkok - Yala) will stop at Surat Thani station.
Rapid train No 173 (Bangkok - Nakhon Si Thammarat) will stop at Surat Thani station.
Express train No 83 (Bangkok - Trang) will stop at Surat Thani station.
Express train No 85 (Bangkok - Nakhon Si Thammarat) will stop at Surat Thani station.
Rapid train No 167 (Bangkok - Kantang) will stop at Surat Thani station.
Passengers who wish to have their tickets reimbursed can contact any station nationwide.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva flew down South to visit Hat Yai in the afternoon after the cabinet meeting.
PM’s Office Minister Sathit Wongnongtoey said the prime minister has coordinated with the Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre (SBPAC) on ways of helping the flood-hit people.
Bangkok Airways announced that Samui airport, which it owns and operates, was closed due to the weather.
All flights in and out of Samui were postponed but were expected to resume from 6pm, weather permitting.
Meanwhile, the flood death toll since flooding began in the northern, northeastern, eastern and central provinces on Oct 10 has risen to 104, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department said Tuesday.
The flood death toll since the flooding began in the northern, northeastern, eastern and central provinces on Oct 10 has risen to 104, with the devastation now spreading to the South, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department said Tuesday.
The department said flooding now affects 120 districts in 21 provinces, with 4,128,373 rai of farm land under water and about 984,670 households suffering.
The Meteorological Department issued a warning on Tuesday that a tropical depression was centred over Krabi province as of 10am. It was moving west-northwest at a speed of 18 kph and would move through Phangnga province and then out to the Andaman Sea.
Widespread and heavy rains were expected in the South from Surat Thani southwards, with waves of 3-5 metres high.
It warned those living on hill slopes near waterways and in lowlands of severe weather and possible flash flood. A small boats warning was issued for the Gulf of Thailand. They were advised to stay ashore.
For information on Samui airport, contact Bangkok Airways’ call centre at 1771 or 02-270-6699.
For information on train services, contact the State Railway of Thailand at 1690 hotline or log on to www.railway.co.th.