The weather bureau has warned provinces in the North and Northeast to prepare for heavy rainfalls, flash-floods and landslides in coming days.

The provinces most at risk are Mae Hong Son, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Lampang, Phayao, Phrae, Mukdahan, Sakon Nakhon and Udon Thani.

In Chiang Mai, police officers were deployed to guard a 500-year-old stupa at Phan Aon Temple that collapsed late Friday night after heavy downpours.

Once standing 17 metres high, the Lanna-style stupa at Phan Aon Temple in Muang district broke into several pieces and its pinnacle was on the ground.

Chiang Mai Mayor Boonlert Buranuprakorn was afraid people would destroy the stupa further in search of valuable ancient objects or amulets that might be kept inside the stupa.

Guards would remain by the stupa until the Fine Arts Department could examine it, he said.

Temple abbot Phra Khru Amorn Dhhammathat said he wanted the Fine Arts Department to sponsor a new stupa.

In Surat Thani and Phang Nga, disaster mitigation personnel worked to clear seven areas of Highway 401 that had been blocked by landslides in Khao Sok National Park.

Some 150 tourists staying overnight in the park and about 450 residents were evacuated early yesterday morning.

Krisna Rakpao, secretary-general of the Khao Sok Tourism Operators Association, said tourists and villagers were left to fend for themselves because authorities were unable to provide immediate assistance.

Surat Thani Governor Wichit Wichaisan said the province had 149 landslide-prone areas.

He said it had been difficult for authorities to reach the sites due to their remoteness and the heavy rain.