Flood victims forced to sleep rough

"My family has been on this roadside for three days now," Somjai Klamprae of Muang, Prachin Buri said yesterday. "It's impossible to go home. The water is up to my neck".

In nearby Kabin Buri, Prachin Buri more than 300 households suffer the same fate. The district is under 2.5 metres of floodwater in the worst spots.

Most displaced are those living along the overflowing Prachin Buri River.

Homes on higher ground are still habitable, although their residents have to get about by boat.

Pipop Lehthaisong, who chairs the Disabled People of Prachin Buri Council, is among the displaced.

"More than 50 people have been hit by the floods," he said.

He hoped the Prachin Buri Provincial Administrative Organisation would dispatch boats to help the disabled move possessions to higher ground.

 In Bangkok, more than 1,000 homes have been flooded. Medical teams in the city are visiting the victims.

"Up to 30 communities without flood barriers are affected," Bangkok City Clerk Pongsak Semsant said yesterday.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is accepting donations into its BMA for Disaster Victims bank account, Krung Thai Bank 0270042121.

"We will get relief to flood victims outside Bangkok too," Pongsak added.

The Basic Education Commission has given Bt300,000 to each affected educational service area office.

"Up to 25 offices are affected," commission secretarygeneral Kasama Varavarn said yesterday.

Flights over Sukhothai and Phitsanulok yesterday revealed the extent of flooding damage there.

The Air Combat Command Headquarters survey flight witnessed runoff from Sukhothai that will reach Phitsanulok in the next few days. More areas will suffer floods or recurrence of flooding.

Flooding has already submerged 143,00 rai in Phitsanulok.

In northeastern Ubon Ratchathani, flash floods hit on Sunday.