Thai town evacuated as floodgate bursts

2011-10-17 34

Rescue teams help evacuate residents of Pathum Thani, a town less than 50 kilometres north of Bangkok.
Heavy monsoon rains have caused serious flooding in Thailand, and the Pratunam Pain floodgate couldn't cope.
Around 1,000 people were evacuated when the swollen floodwaters burst past the barriers on Monday.
The floodgate is the second to last defence protecting the Thai capital from the surging waters.
The government has been racing against time to protect Pathum Thani province from further flooding.
Nick Rowlands, Reuters.