The Chamber of Commerce in Uttaradit yesterday estimated that the damage caused by the worst flooding in 50 years could reach Bt300 million in the northern province.

Government agencies have yet to make an official estimate of the damages pending a survey of the area. The chamber made the estimate based on the 1,000 or so shops that were damaged by floods and landslides.

Chalermpol Piensuphab, advisor to the Uttaradit Chamber of Commerce, said most business operators in the province were unprepared to cope with a natural disaster of this magnitude. The business district, located in a prime flood zone, includes retail shops, construction material vendors, restaurants and schools, most of which were damaged by the rushing mud and water.

The flash flood triggered by days of heavy rain killed at least 30 people in Uttaradit while hundreds more were feared dead in the northern provinces. Uttaradit was the hardest hit by the flood that inundated many northern provinces including Sukhothai, Phrae, Nan and Lampang.

Chalermpol said it was the worst flood in 50 years.

"We've never seen anything like this," he said.

Uttaradit is the fruit market centre in the North with many small and medium-sized business operators in the agro-industry. The timing of the flood could not have been worse because the harvest seasons for durian and longan are approaching.

"The fruit market normally generates around Bt100 million around this time every year," Chalermpol said.

This year, revenue will likely be much less after the floods ruined many fruit plantations.

Tesco Locus, located in the Uttaradit province's lowest terrain, was among the stores hit by the flood because the outlet is. Tesco Lotus' chief executive Jeff Adams said that the company had already sent an emergency unit to rescue its staff who were stranded in the building. The rescue effort was difficult because the store's telecommunications system was cut off.

Adams said that the water level at its outlet in Uttaradit was now receding. The company will try to estimate the damages as soon as possible. If the situation improves, Tesco Lotus will open an outdoor tent to re-sell consumer products to customers.

Several commercial banks were forced to close their offices on Tuesday because transportation was cut off. Bangkok Bank executive vice president Chartchai Srirussamee said the bank had to close its Uttaradit branch from May 23 to 24. Even though its office was not severely damaged, bank staff could not get to work. Chartchai said most of the bank's clients were agro-industry operators with loans of about Bt100,000 to Bt500,000 each.

Krung Thai Bank president Apisak Tantivorawong said the bank had to close three branches in the province because of the flood. Kasikornbank shut its office for one day. Khunying Jada Wattanasiritham, Siam Commercial Bank's president and chief executive, said her bank's Uttaradit branch closed on Tuesday but opened again yesterday. SCB's Sri Satchanalai branch in Sukhothai has been closed due to lack of electricity. She said the bank was calculating the cost of damages from the flood.

Caretaker Commerce Minister Somkid Jatusripitak said he had assigned an Internal Trade Department officer to prevent opportunistic traders from selling products at higher prices to its clients.

Bank of Thailand governor MR Pridiyathorn Devakula said the central bank had yet to evaluate the situation. The BOT will later consider whether there to extend financial assistance to victims of the flood.

Naris Chaiyasoot, director-general of the Fiscal Policy Office, said yesterday that he was considering an estimate of total damages and all relevant parties were expected to meet on Monday to discuss the issue.

The flood temporarily disrupted the telecommunications system.

Advanced Info Service Plc (AIS) said that 80 per cent of its base stations in the flood areas have been restored and are up and running. It also sent two mobile base station vehicles to Uttaradit province to back up call signal transmissions.

Moreover, it has made available 10 mobile phones for flood victims to make calls free of charge in Muang district of Uttaradit while distributing 2,000 relief bags in the province.

Cellular operator Total Access Communication (DTAC) said that it had joined with the Phuan Phueng (Pha) Yam Yak Foundation, public service radio station Ruam Duay Chuay Kan and local chambers of commerce to set up an emergency centre to provide food and water to people in the affected areas.

The company has also prepared 2,000 relief supply bags to be distributed to flood victims through Ruam Duay Chuay Kan's community network.

Emergency rescue teams are already been in the field and are working closely with the Phuan Phueng (Pha) Yam Yak Foundation to inspect damages and build temporary shelters for the victims.

DTAC reported that most of its cell sites in the affected areas were now up and running, while a few were being restored and should be functioning soon.

The Information and Communication Technology Ministry also ordered TOT Plc to restore the fixed-line system in the affected areas.

 The Small and Medium Enterprise Development Bank of Thailand yesterday announced urgent measures to provide a six-month debt-payment suspension for borrowers affected by the flood in the five northern provinces. Moreover, the bank said in a press release that it would also provide low-interest loans for businesses that need to renovate after the flood subsides.

The Government Housing Bank meanwhile will offer loans with 1 per cent interest for six months to assist people reconstructing or repairing their homes or a special fixed-rate programme for five years with an interest rate starting at 5.5 per cent.