24 September 2024

One official and two villagers went missing, and are believed to have been swept away by strong currents, when water runoff from mountains in Khao Yai and Tap Larn national parks poured into Bupphram subdistrict, in the Na Dee district of Thailand’s eastern province of Prachinburi today.

The official, from the Highways Department’s Kabin Buri district office, was swept away by the torrent as he was working to cut the electricity supply in Bupphram subdistrict. Two other villagers also went missing and are believed to have been washed away by strong currents in Ban Wang Mai of Bupphram subdistrict.

Over 100 tourists, staying at a hotel in the district, were evacuated by rescue workers after they were stranded at the hotel by 1.5 metre deep flood waters. More than 40 cars, parked at the hotel, were under water and two more were swept away by the currents.

A number of guests were reported to be very upset with the hotel’s management for not alerting them in advance about possible flooding.

More than 100 animals, including cattle, goats, horses and sheep belonging to the hotel, were also affected.

Officials said that rescue teams managed to save a number of people after three cars were trapped inside the flooded Tap Larn Tunnel, which was closed due to severe flooding.