Excess water from the Lam Phra Ploeng River gushed into the municipal area of Pak Thong Chai district, of Thailand’s northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima, early this morning and the water level is still rising.
District Chief Officer Mr. Banlang Waisiri told Thai PBS this morning that the municipal area, including the fresh market, is partially under an averaging of about 60cm of water, but residents had been warned in advance to move their valuables to higher ground.
He said that elderly people and children have been moved to a temporary evacuation centre in the district’s gymnasium, in front of the district office, but they may be moved as water in front of the gymnasium is also steadily rising.
Meanwhile, in the western province of Kanchanaburi, park officials closed the Erawan National Park yesterday to all visitors, until further notice, due to continuing heavy rain, which has swollen the Erawan waterfall.
In Suan Phoeng district of Ratchaburi province, excess water has cascaded from the Tanasserim mountain range into the Pachee River. The strong current has eroded the river’s banks, causing damage to several riverside guest houses.
House owner, Samruen Ngamta, said that his toilet has been swept away by the strong current and his house is now under threat of land erosion, forcing him to evacuate for safety.
District officials admitted that land erosion, caused by the strong currents, has been a recurring problem close to the Pachee River and long-term solutions will have to be found.
