Flooding in Several Provinces across Thailand Remains Critical

PRACHIN BURI, October 9 (TNA) – The flooding situation in several eastern provinces of Thailand remains critical on Wednesday, with flood victims unable to contact the outside world. In Prachin Buri’s Kabin Buri district, two highways are under floodwater and impassable for vehicles. Officials said that the situation in Prachin Buri has become worsen following water runoff from the neighbouring province of Sa Kaeo. At least two plants located inside Amata Nakorn Industrial Estate in Chon Buri province, near Bangkok, have decided to close for two days after their owners found that floodwaters have surrounded the plants, causing inconvenience to workers to come to work. Mobile flood barriers have been set up while guards are on alert round-the-clock. Water runoff has cut off a road passing through a wildlife conservation forest in the central Ratchaburi province, preventing some 130 students who went there for activities earlier to be unable to leave the forest. Rescue officials have to build a temporary wooden bridge for use to help the students. Authorities in the northern province of Phichit, meanwhile, have admitted that it would take a few weeks for flood in the province to recede. More than 20,000 rai (approximately 8,000 acres) of rice fields has been inundated for than a week now. In the capital city of Bangkok, Interior Ministry Permanent Secretary Wiboon Sanguanpong on Wednesday ordered the governors of flooded provinces during a meeting to accelerate on assisting victims and initially they could each spend 20 million baht to help the victims. More cash assistance is expected to be handed later on. (TNA)