Korat 's SEA Games stadium under water

Flooding in Nakhon Ratchasima.

Heavy rain since Wednesday caused five villages in Muang Nakhon Ratchasima to be under 40cm-60cm of water, affecting 400 homes, while His Majesty the King's 80th Anniversary Stadium's nine tennis courts and football training field and tracks were under 30cm of water.

Bancha Pimsomboon, director of the Sports Authority of Thailand's Nakhon Ratchasima branch, instructed officials to pile up sandbags as flood barriers and install two pumps to drain water out of the flooded facilities.

In Kalasin's Sahatsakhan district hall, provincial governor Wiroj Jiwaranhsan gave instructions to about 500 officials on tackling the flooding.

He said the Lam Pao Dam, holding 1.3 billion cubic metres of water against a capacity of 1.43 billion cubic metres, was releasing 15 million cubic metres per day to prevent any damage to the structure.

He therefore warned of flooding in the downstream Yan Talat, Kamalasai, Rong Kham and Muang districts, as well as in Khong Chai.

In Si Sa Ket's Khukhan district, flooding from the Panom Dongrak mountains hit houses and farmland as well as covering a 4kilometre section of the 24th Highway (ChokchaiDectudom) under 50cm of water.

About 100 locals brought their young to observe what one described as the "worst flood in the area's history", while others used the opportunity to fish.

In Maha Sarakham, days of Ketsanatriggered downpours and the upcoming vegetarian festival caused vegetable prices to increase especially.

Coriander was selling at a retail price of Bt200 per kilogram and at a wholesale price of Bt150, against the previous range of Bt60Bt70.

In Songkhla, Eastern Coastal Meteorological Centre chief Wanchai Sakudomchai said weathermen were closely watching the development of typhoon Parma, which was moving towards the Philippines, and were bracing for an impact on weather in southern Thailand.

The Gulf of Thailand was experiencing waves 12 metres high, while the Andaman Sea had 2mhigh waves. Boats were therefore advised to exercise extra caution.

In related news, Thailand will send rice and medical supplies worth Bt5 million to assist Ketsana storm victims in the Philippines, said Foreign Ministry Information Department chief Wimol Kidchob. Medical teams will also be sent.