The flash floods occurred nearly the same time shortly after 2 pm at the Sairung Waterfall and Prai Sawan Waterfall about 4 kilometres away, both in Yan Takhao district.

Fourteen bodies were retrieved at the Sairung Waterfall and four bodies at the Prai Sawan Waterfall.

Officials said flash floods also occurred at the Lamplok and Tonetae waterfalls in Palian district. Two bodies were found at the Lamplok waterfall.

Sixteen people were initially reported missing at the Sairung Waterfall so two more bodies have yet to be found.

Officials said 10 tourists were injured.

Tourists to the waterfalls were caught off-guard by the flash floods and many could not get out of the waterways in time.

Local villagers said there were heavy rainfalls early Saturday morning.

Sompong Khaodee, a disaster mitigation official of Trang, said tourists at the two waterfalls noticed that water turned murky at about 2 pm and suddenly the flash floods ran down toward them.

He said some injured tourists were stranded on rocks and trees waiting for rescue by officials. They were expected to be rescued before dusk.

He said some 300 officials from several government agencies were rushed to the two waterfalls to rescue the stranded and injured tourists.

Officials called off the search at 7 pm and will resume the operations at 8 am on Sunday.

The Nation