Some 500 bags were delivered to deputy Songkhla governor Theerathep Sriyaphan to pass on to affected residents in Ranot district, following news that strong seas in the Gulf of Thailand had swamped coastal areas from Prachuap Khiri Khan to Narathiwat and traumatised many southerners.

The Prince's representatives gave another 300 bags to residents in Chumphon's storm-hit Muang, Lang Suan and Pathiu districts.

Meanwhile, the director of Walailak University's Institute of Research and Development, Pitiwong Tantichodok, warned that storms and coastal erosion would become more severe in coming years due to global warming. But he said engineering solutions could limit damage.

The weather bureau reported that the monsoon affecting the Gulf of Thailand, the southern region and Andaman Sea was weakening but warned it could regain its strength on Thursday. It advised fishermen to exercise extra caution at the week's end.

The governors of Nakhon Si Thammarat, Surat Thani and Chumphon called for speedy assessments of damage so they could assist affected residents. But fishermen - forced to stay ashore earlier - were back at sea yesterday as the weather improved.

Kittiphan Petchchoo, chief of the Nakhon Si Thammarat Damrongtham Centre, which deals with public complaints, said the rebuilding of homes damaged by waves in Pak Phanang district's Laem Talumpuk, should be based on real data because the governor had villagers assess the damage themselves.

The provincial administrative organisation would then allocate 20 rai of land for affected residents to rebuild their homes on, he said.

Officials in Surat Thani were assessing storm damage and Governor Niwat Sawatkaew had ordered others to continue a 24-hour watch on Don Sak, Tha Chana, Kanchanadit, Koh Samui, Koh Pha-ngan districts, until the New Year.

Meanwhile, Narathiwat disaster prevention office said the storms had caused damage in excess of Bt11 million and affected 10,410 people in Muang, Si Sakhon, Sungai Padi, Sukhirin, Joh I Rong and Tak Bai districts.