French tourist dies after falling from waterfall on Samui island
A French national was killed when he fell from the 5th tier of a famous waterfall on Samui Island in Surat Thani province yesterday.
Regional and local news from across Thailand's provinces — in English, from Thai PBS World, Thailand's public broadcaster.
A French national was killed when he fell from the 5th tier of a famous waterfall on Samui Island in Surat Thani province yesterday.
People have gathered in the ordination hall of Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram, or ‘Wat Pho’ in Bangkok, to pay homage to the Reclining Buddha and to participate in a New Year’s Eve chanting ceremony.
Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul spent the morning in Hat Yai today observing damage and encouraging defense volunteers taking part in a major post-flood cleanup effort.
The government has agreed to pay two million baht compensation to relatives of those who died due to the floods in seven more southern provinces.
The death toll from the flooding in Hat Yai has been put at 140, including 65 who died in hospitals and 75 who died in floodwater, according to Dr. Sakda Alapach, deputy permanent secretary of public health.
A celebrity volunteer today dismissed a claim, by Government Spokesman Siripong Angkasakulkiat, that the death toll from flooding in Hat Yai was only seven, including those who were electrocuted and were taken to hospitals.
An emergency response team from Chiang Mai province has suspended its rescue and evacuation operations after its volunteer jet-skiers were shot at twice by unidentified hot-tempered flood victims in Zone 8 of Hat Yai district on Tuesday night.
Floodwater has receded from numerous parts of Hat Yai district today, making it possible for many residents, who have been trapped in their flooded houses or buildings for the past several days, to venture out, feel the warmth of the sun and to look for food. Convenience stores and street food shops remain closed though.
Leader of the Thai Kao Mai party, Professor Dr. Suchatvee Suwansawat, is proposing the excavation of several trenches across the Lop Buri Ramet Road in Hat Yai, to allow the massive amount of water in the district to drain out and into the Songkhla Lake, thus easing the devastating flooding in the town.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has vowed to remain in Hat Yai to oversee flood relief and evacuation operations, and will return to Bangkok only when the situation eases or if there are overriding matters requiring his presence.
The Cabinet declared a state of emergency in Songkhla province today and appointed Supreme Commander Gen Ukrit Boontanont as the flood situation director, in charge of coordinating the flood relief operations of all agencies.
About 90 seriously-ill patients are to be evacuated from Hat Yai hospital, with the first group of 50 to be airlifted by helicopters to nearby hospitals today, due to the deteriorating flood situation and critical shortage of medical oxygen, which is sufficient for just one more day, Public Health Permanent Secretary Dr. Somruek Joengsamarn said today.