The water started rising in Fuangfah village in Tambon Wang Thong of Wang Thong district at 2.30am. On learning that the Wang Thong River had overflowed, rescue officials rushed to the village by boat to evacuate the residents. Levels rose very fast, with some parts of the village under two metres of floodwaters.

Many villagers were still asleep and only woken up by megaphone announcements that they needed to prepare for evacuations.

The evacuation was difficult as the village has several bedridden patients and elderly people.

The Ban Khao Samor Kraeng community nearby was also hit by the overflowing river, prompting officials to evacuate the villagers there.

Flooding was also in evidence on the Phitsanulok-Lomsak road leading to Wang Thong district’s downtown area, with 800 metres under 20cms of water.