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Published on October 21, 2007

 The warning from the Department of Mineral Resources listed Phato and Lang Suan districts in Chumphon province; Khiri Ratthanikhom, Vibhavadi, Ban Ta Khun and Phanom districts in Surat Thani; Lan Saka, Ron Phibun, Chang Khlang and Thung Song districts in Nakhon Si Thammarat; Pa Phayom, Si Banphot, Srinakarin, Kong Ra, Tamot and Pa Bon districts in Phatthalung; Huay Yot, Na Yong, Yan Ta Khao and Palian districts in Trang; and Hat Yai district in Songkhla.

It warned people in these areas be on the alert for flash floods and landslides during the next two days because the level of recent rainfall had exceeded 100mm.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department also warned of heavy rains in southern Thailand due to a monsoon trough over the southern part of the Gulf of Thailand. It said heavy rain was likely in areas of Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat.

The department also warned boats against putting out to sea for two days due to waves of more than two metres caused by high winds.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont yesterday assigned 16 provincial authorities to survey flooded areas and speed up efforts to resolve the problem

He said a large volume of water would reach Bangkok from the northern areas and Ubon Ratchathani from the Northeast next week. However, the amount of rainfall this year is less than last year.

Surayud assigned Deputy Interior Ministers Banyat Jansena and Pol Lt-General Theerawut Butsriphum to monitor the flood situation. Banyan will visit the North and Theerawut will go to the Northeast.

Veera Wongsangnak, deputy general-director of the Royal Irrigation Department, said yesterday his department would control the amount of water released from the Chao Phya Dam so as to not affect Bangkok.

He said the water level in Nakhon Sawan province had decreased, and levels in Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Angthong and Ayutthaya would return to normal within nine days.

Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin said the irrigation department had released a large amount of water - 3,036 cubic metres per second - from the dam, which could affect people living along the Chao Phya River.

He said he had asked all Bangkok district offices to help people by building wooden pathways across flooded areas, setting up sandbag barriers and pumping away water.

Meanwhile, all piers on the Chao Phya in Bangkok are safe for travel by boat, he said.