Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered help to be rushed to Pak Chong district of the country’s northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima, to relieve the suffering of flood victims.

More than 8,000 houses in the district were flooded today after the swollen Lam Takong River overflowed its banks and inundated nearby communities, following heavy rain over the past few days, especially in the Khao Yai mountainous area.

Governor Vichien Chanthanothai today led a public disaster relief team to distribute lunch boxes and survival kits to flood victims, who are staying in their flooded houses to protect their property.

He expects that it will take another day for flood waters to recede and said the situation will gradually return to normal.

It is reported that flooding has cut electricity and water supplies to several areas in the district.

The Royal Irrigation Department said that the flooding in Pak Chong is a boon for the Lam Phra Ploeng and Khun Dan Prakanchon reservoirs, which were short of water earlier this year.

The Lam Phra Ploeng reservoir is now 93% full, with 145 million cubic metres of water, whereas the Khun Dan Prakanchon reservoir is 96% full, with 216 million cubic metres of water.

In the southern province of Phetchaburi, more than 400 house in Nong Ya Plong district, and the Petkasem highway near Cha-am intersection, were flooded today after heavy rainfall since Friday night.

The rail track, close to Cha-am station, was 8-10 cm under water, forcing trains to slow down when approaching the area. In the late afternoon today, flood waters in some areas have receded.