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Published on October 22, 2007

Permanent secretary Dr Prat Boonyawongvirot explained barriers around Beung Au swamp collapsed and part of the hospital was flooded. A drug storage area, instrument room, laundry and kitchen were inundated.

Patients in serious condition have been transferred to Sawan Pracharak Hospital.

Prat added water hit staff quarters. Doctors, nurses and administrative staff were forced to move into the hospital proper.

It has hired heavy vehicles to ferry patients to and from the hospital.

Medical instruments and laundry are being sent to Kao Lieo Hospital for sterilisation.

Hospital director Dr Chalermporn Chinathiworn said the floods were not receding and the water had started to become stagnant.

"However, we are still treating patients around the clock - about 400 people a day and we have 80 inpatients. Staff are keeping en eye on the floods," Chalermporn said.

The hospital and the provincial health office will seek funding to relocate the hospital to higher ground.

Meanwhile, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration officials said the surge of water heading to Bangkok from Chai Nat, Sing Buri and Angthong was abating.

The Irrigation Department is releasing dam water gradually to prevent the capital flooding.

Bangkok governor Apirak Kosayodhin said city staff were on 24-hour flood watch on both sides of the Chao Phya River.

Deputy Interior Minister Banyat Jansena said relief packages had been sent to flood victims in Ayutthaya. The Meteorological Department yesterday warned residents in 10 southern provinces to brace for heavy rain.

The 5am warning said a low-pressure area over the lower South and in the Gulf of Thailand would bring significant rain.

The department said Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Krabi, Trang and Satun would be hardest hit.

The Nation