Thailand: floods reduce in some parts but still create problems

Flooding in some parts of Bangkok were receding on Tuesday but residents in Samut Sakorn, a province next to Gulf of Thailand, were not yet feeling the benefit. The floods hit four days ago and there was no sign of them going down.The residential Bang Khun Tien district lies only ten kilometres from the sea but knee-high flood waters were still lapping around buildings and swamping its roads.Boat remains the best form of transport for many, shops and markets have been forced to close. The areas position close to the Gulf of Thailand has not speeded up the recession of the flood watersThis area is the way water flow to the sea, water should flow out but its not. I planned to move to Sathahip. If it keeps flooded like this, Ill keep moving, said 52-year-old resident Sommai Thammachom.On Monday officials announced some areas of the province would be evacuated amid signs that water levels were still rising as water flowed towards the sea from Bangkok.It keeps rising, its not receding at all. I think were near to the sea. I should not take long to recede so why is it taking so long, said 59-year-old resident, Pari Sabthanom.Thailand has been hit by massive flooding since mid-July causing severe damage in the north, and to the east and west of Bangkok.A third of the country was swamped in the worst floods in half a century.The countrys economy has been hit hard by the floods, and the central bank has slashed its growth forecast for this year to 2.6 percent from 4.1 percent.