Heavy downpours and flash floods have pummelled Songkhla, forcing the entire southern province to be declared a flood disaster zone after the death toll reached at least 11 in the South since last Sunday.
Wasant Chaithaweepong, acting chief of the provincial disaster prevention and mitigation office, said yesterday flood water has covered vast areas across all 16 districts.
Three residents were killed during the latest downpour and speedy provision of relief is needed, he said.
Saba Yoi district was hit the hardest with Lae Baeng village in tambon Saba Yoi inundated by more than two metres of water.
Boats were sent to evacuate residents from the village. Many sought refuge at a temporary shelter at Saba Yoi district office.
Thepha and Na Thawi districts were also heavily flooded.
Mountain runoff from Na Thawi district swept through Muang district yesterday. Two main roads linking the district to the Thai-Malaysian border -- Na Thawi-Lamplai and Na Thawi-Dan Prakop roads -- became inundated and were impassable, Mr Wasant said.
In nearby Pattani province, 12 districts were hit by floods which claimed the lives of five residents.
In Nakhon Si Thammarat, the water rose to over 1.5 metres in some areas of Muang district yesterday. One resident drowned trying to move belongings from his flooded house.
The Royal Irrigation Department and the Muang municipality installed water pumps along the main canals to drain water around the clock. Several schools also suspended classes yesterday.
The floods submerged areas in 23 districts of Nakhon Si Thammarat, of which 19 have been declared disaster zones. Local authorities have been ordered to survey the damage in flood-hit areas.
So far, the floods have inundated 526 villages, affecting 66,020 people in the province.
One school, seven temples, five government offices, 138 roads and six bridges were damaged.
Damage to agricultural areas, fisheries and livestock were being assessed by authorities.
However, Nakhon Si Thammarat airport remains open with no flight cancellations.
Water runoff from Nakhon Si Thammarat flooded communities in Kanchanadit district of Surat Thani, prompting immediate evacuations.
In Trang, a 39-year-old nurse drowned after the car she was driving was swept into Klong Kham canal.
The driver, Sumalee Khaenyuk, 39, who died after becoming trapped inside the car, had been on her way to Ratsada Hospital where she worked.
The Meteorological Department yesterday warned of further torrential downpours, floods and inshore surges in the South.