8 dead as torrential rain brings flooding to Thai south

By Arun Saronchai

BANGKOK

At least eight people have died and 150,000 households have been affected after torrential rain brought rampant flooding to Thailand's southern provinces.

According to a department of disaster prevention and mitigation report released Friday at least 13 provinces have been beset by monsoon rains for nearly a week.

In Nakhon Sri Thammarat, one of the worst hit provinces, the city hall and the main police and fire stations have been inundated, and waters have upended rail tracks and turned roads into rivers.

Public transportation, including rail and bus routes to the provinces, has been canceled until further notice.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha and senior cabinet members visited the flood stricken provinces Friday vowing more government aid.

"We are coordinating relevant agencies to provide the necessities for the people affected by the flooding," Chan-ocha told reporters.