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Muang Takua Pa Municipality Deputy Mayor, Santisuk Na Thalang, said Monday that forest floods had inundated the municipality since Sunday night and many areas were now covered with 50cmto two-metre-deep water.

"It's the worst flood in 30 years," he said adding that local authorities dispatched flat bottomed boats to assist the stranded residents and some families were evacuated from risky spots.

The damage and number of people affected would be determined soon, he added.

Meanwhile, Southeast Meteorological Centre chief Wanchai Sakudomchai said the southwest monsoon hoovering over the Andaman Sea, the South and the Gulf of Thailand remained strong, causing scattered rainfall in Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, and Phatthalung and two-metre-high tides in the Gulf. As for the Andaman coasts, 23 metrehigh waves were expected along with heavy rainfall and possible floods in many areas including Phang Nga's Takua Pa district.

Northeast Meteorological Center forcaster Rewat Tokpudsa said many areas of the Northeast had gusty winds and thunderstorms, resulting in a warning of heavy rains. They urged residents in the lowlying areas of Loei, Nong Khai, Udon Thani, Nongbua Lamphu, Sakhon Nakhon, Nakhon Panom, Mukdahan, Khon Kaen, Kalasin, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram, Surin, Si Sa Ket, Amnat Charoen, and Ubon Ratchathani to beware of floods. Warning of gusty winds and thunder strikes, they suggested people not to linger in outdoor spaces, not to wear metal accessories during thunderstorms, and to stay away from billboards.

In related news, heavy dowpours throughout on Monday sent forest floodwater from Doi Nang Lae to Mae Chiang Rai's Pukha Village damaging 100 homes and prompting locals to move their belongings up. Some sections of Paholyothin Highway (Chiang RaiMae Sai) were also under 50cmdeep water causing inconvenience to motorists.