More heavy rain is forecast in the South with new flood warnings issued for 12 provinces in the region, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation said on Monday.
Director-general Chayapol Thitisak issued the alert for Chumphon, Krabi, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Narathiwat, Pattani, Phangnga, Phatthalung, Phuket, Satun, Songkhla, Trang and Yala provinces.
He said the northeastern monsoon had caused flooding in seven southern provinces since Saturday --Nakhon Si Thammarat, Narathiwat, Pattani, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Trang and Yala.
Heavy rain flooded the runway of Pattani airport and the plane taking Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to Pattani was diverted to Songkhla. He later continued on and arrived in Nong Chik district of Pattani about two hours late.
Floods closed about 20 schools and Hatyai University in Songkhla and 27 schools in Phatthalung on Monday.
The Meteorological Department reported a low pressure area would be moving slowing from the lower South China Sea through the lower South to the Andaman Sea from Tuesday to Friday and would cause flooding then.