Thai flash floods death toll rises to 39

Reuters News Service, Apr 15, 2007

BANGKOK (Reuters) - The death toll in flash floods which swept scores of Thai New Year holidaymakers over three waterfalls in the southern province of Trang rose to 39 on Sunday, officials said.

Emergency disaster zones had been declared around the popular Sai Roong (Rainbow) and Prai Sawan (Heavenly Forest) waterfalls, where rescuers continued the search for more missing people, Trang governor Anan Manasvanich told Reuters.

The government had pledged 50 million baht ($1.5 million) to compensate families and relatives of the victims, he added.

Twenty three people were also injured in the disaster, which happened when heavy rains caused flash floods to sweep over the waterfalls 10 km (six miles) apart in the Bantad Hill Range, the Health Ministry's Relief Center said.

Most of the victims were swimming below the falls during a long weekend holiday for the new year Songkran festival. The waterfalls are a popular destination for local families at holiday times.