Flooding and mudslides hit central Thailand

12 Sep 2011

Devastating mudslides hit four village communities in central Thailand on Friday. Five people have been confirmed as dead and two are still missing after flashfloods triggered the slides in the central Thai province of Uttaradit.

Uttaradit provincial governor Yothin Samutkhiri announced the floods and landslips had affected 700 families and that 41 residences had been completely destroyed. He added that another 50 homes as well as roads and bridges had sustained some repairable damage.

The slides washed through villages such as Ban Ton Khanoon in Nam Pat District and left some villagers staring helplessly at the places where their houses had once stood.

Thai prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra and opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva both visited the stricken area over the weekend. The prime minister promised the government would offer assistance to those affected by the disaster, while Mr Vejjajiva gave out survival kits.

The premier said she pitied the villagers left homeless by the flooding and the search for missing people and road repairs were the priorities at the present time. She added that she had already spoken with defence minister Yutthasak Sasiprapa and they had agreed the army would assist with rebuilding and the installation of an early warning system for disasters.

Government ministers have also stated that in conjunction with the Princess Pa Foundation they will put up 50 temporary houses for those left without shelter.

Tags: Flooding mudslides Thailand