It's on everyone's lips, 'num tuam.' But it's usually followed with a smile that underscores the seriousness of the situation.

Angthong is submerged. Slowly, but surely, over the last three weeks, water has engulfed the whole city. Unlike other cities in Central Thailand, Angthong's Business District is very centralized - and now this hub is under water. The golden bowl in the center of town, the symbol of Angthong, is defiantly keeping it's head above the watershed, as the flood spreads out to the peripheries of the town.

The market wasmoved to the main road on Angthong. It all looked pretty sweet, and had the feeling of a country fair in the early days. But over the last two weeks, most of the stalls have moved out to the bypass, escaping the rising tide of the Chayoa Praya. And rubbish and refuge is accumulating on the sides of the road where flood victims have also set up their new homes in makeshift shacks.

According to a local, its only a matter of a few days before the bypass is flooded. But the people of Anthong go about their business with fortitude. As they say, necessity is the mother of invention.

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