Surat Thani and Pang Nga submerged

Flash floods occurred at Banbanglud village in Surat Thani's Phanom district, where over 30 houses are under waters 60 cm to two metres deep.

 Officials were helping local residents evacuate to higher ground. It is expected that the flooding will subside and the situation will return to normal on Saturday afternoon.

 Provincial authorities are surveying the damage in Banbangban village, which has been cut off from surrounding communities.

Meanwhile, in Phang-nga, forest run-off inundated five villages, affecting more than 700 houses.

Residents in the flood-hit areas were in urgent need of drinking water as the water supply system was damaged by the flooding. Many roads and bridges are impassable.

The present flooding is the worst in 40 years in Phang-nga, according to local officials.