Thai floods threaten catastrophe

2011-10-09 151

A half-submerged figure of Buddha floating in Thailand's ancient city of Ayutthaya.
Massive floods here have forced thousands to evacuate and seek refuge in temporary shelters since Friday.
Flood waters also destroyed at least two embankments forcing people to build sandbag barriers to protect their homes.
Here in Nakornsawan province in Thailand's lower northern region, more residents prepare to leave - though the elderly member of this family does not seem to mind.
(SOUNDBITE) (Thai) A MEMBER OF FAMILY EVACUATING SAYING:
"I don't worry. I'm still in good spirits but I cannot stay here. There's no place to sleep."
More than 7 billion cubic metres of water is heading towards the capital, Bangkok as massive volumes of water heading downstream from the northern provinces.
Thai officials say more than 250 people have been killed by flooding since July and there are fears the country is facing a deadly natural disaster.
Sunita Rappai, Reuters