But Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang, Songkhla and Phatthalung are still suffering.

Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department chief Chatchai Phromlert said yesterday that as well as damaging vast areas of farmland, the floods have also ruined 1,565 roads, 129 bridges, 65 water pipes and 59 check dams.

In Surat Thani, where about 120,000 residents were affected and four villagers killed in 17 districts, officials were still monitoring the situation at water retention areas in Phunphin, Phrasaeng and Khian Sa, he said.

In Nakhon Si Thammarat, where about 300,000 residents were affected in 23 districts and eight people killed, Pak Phanang, Tha Sala and Hua Sai which have retained floodwater draining into sea, were still being monitored.

In Trang, where 40,680 residents were affected in eight districts, only Muang and Kantang were still being monitored.

In Songkhla, some 81,319 residents were affected, with two killed and 455 evacuated from homes in 10 districts. Four districts along Songkhla Lake –Ranot, Singha Nakhon, Krasae Sin and Sathing Phra – remained inundated.

In Phatthalung, some 85,393 residents were affected, with two killed and 26 families fleeing their homes in 11 districts. Five districts – Muang, Khuan Khanun, Bang Kaew, Pak Phayun, and Khao Chaison – were still under water, he said.

Chatchai cited a weather report that a moderate northeast monsoon would continue to bring rain to the South and waves in the Gulf and Andaman Sea would be 2-metres high, so officials would monitor updates and join related agencies in aiding the affected people.

Public Health Minister Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn led a team yesterday to visit Nakhon Si Thammarat’s Chalerm Phrakiat district hospital, where floods have started to recede.

He said many hospitals in the region were flooded and measures would be implemented later to prevent further problems. He also urged officials to take care of flood victims who develop water-borne illnesses, especially Athlete’s foot.

Chalerm Phrakiat was taking the runoff from Ron Phibun and Cha-uat districts. This had caused high flood levels that would take a month to drain.

In Trang province, flood barriers on three spots on the Trang River in Muang district burst earlier this week, sending torrents into nearby communities.

Tambon Nong Trud Administrative Organisation president Sombat Polprayoon said a 20-metre hole in Ban Pakman Moo 2 had grown to 60 metres and floods affected 783 homes in nine villages, as well as damaging 5,000 rai of farmlands.

A 100-metre long breach opposite the river in Tambon Na Ta Luang’s Ban Pa Mak also damaged dozens of nearby homes and led to a power cut and evacuation to higher grounds, he said.

In related development, 1,000 flood relief bags, granted by His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn, were delivered to flood victims in Surat Thani’s Phunphin district yesterday afternoon, while another 1,000 bags were delivered to affected residents in Nakhon Si Thammarat’s Hua Sai district.