His Majesty the King talks to armed forces commanders-in-chief about ways to expedite assistance to victims of severe flooding.

In a rare high-profile meeting with military chiefs, His Majesty the King yesterday instructed the armed forces to restore communication links to quickly assist flood victims in ravaged parts of the North.

HM the King's intervention came as the caretaker government was racing against the clock to help victims of severe flooding in Uttaradit and adjacent provinces.

The meeting, at Klai Kangwol Palace in Prachuap Khiri Khan in the evening, was recorded for broadcast on all television stations last night. Re-runs were shown during late-night programmes.

His Majesty said communication links were vital to monitor the situation and to deliver timely assistance. He was speaking to the Royal Thai Army's commander-in-chief General Sonthi Boonyarattaklin, the Royal Thai Navy's top chief Admiral Sathiraphan Keyanont and the Royal Thai Air Force chief ACM Khalit Pukphasuk.

His Majesty recommended the use of radio communication, saying that mobile network stations should be installed in the flood-hit areas.

The King also mentioned the Army chief's recent remark that His Majesty had appeared downcast while looking out to sea with his pet dog Thong Daeng beside him.

"I had something on my mind but I was not that sad," HM the King said.

Flash-floods and landslides ravaged areas in the North early on Tuesday. The number of victims climbed yesterday to 48, with another 66 people still missing.

Uttaradit province has been hardest hit. The disaster has affected more than 100,000 people, and many areas remain inaccessible by land.

On Wednesday, Their Majesties the King and the Queen instructed the armed forces to help flood victims in the northern provinces.

Yesterday, His Majesty reiterated: "Go to the affected people on foot, by land vehicles or helicopters. Go and help them."

A royal-guard helicopter fleet did its bit yesterday, rescuing nine flood victims from a mountaintop in Uttaradit's Laplae district.

Despite rough weather and cloudy skies, the five helicopters hovered over several mountains to carry out the rescue operations.

"We were stuck on the mountaintop because landslides were taking place all around," Chob Thongmuang, 58, said, after his ordeal.

Chob and his kin cried tears of joy when reunited with their family, after being separated since early Tuesday. They also expressed deep gratitude to Their Majesties.

Another flood victim, Saowalak Yodyaem, said the helicopter fleet had helped her locate her father-in-law and village head Was Yodyaem.

"I am relieved because officials from the fleet found my father-in-law and three other neighbours alive and well," Saowalak said.

She said the helicopters did not airlift them at their own request because they felt the wind was too strong. The helicopters could not land due to lack of suitable space.

Meanwhile, more than 800 flood victims in Uttaradit have consulted psychiatrists after being unable to sleep or eat.

"It has been so hard to accept the fact that my house, three motorcycles, all my belongings and my crops on the farm are all gone. But after consulting the psychiatrists, I feel better. Now, I'm just trying to focus on the fact my whole family is safe," said Raluek Kwangsanit, a 38-year-old flood victim.

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'Build trust in South'

His Majesty the King told commanders yesterday to help educate and reconcile with local residents in order to end violence in the restive South.

Granting royal audience to commanders of the three armed forces, the King shared his experience in dealing with the situation 15 years ago saying officials must help all people even those who were sympathisers of militants.

He said armed forces operating in the region should not divide geographically, but help each other to build trust with people.

"If we can build trust with people, the militants could not do anything because people would be happy with us," he said.