Floods severely batter historic Ayutthaya, former capital

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AYUTTHAYA, Oct 15 – More than 50,000 homes, 100,000 rai (40,000 acres) of rice fields, industrial estates and historical sites in Thailand’s old capital, 80 km north of Bangkok, have been damaged by recent floods, according to governor Witthaya Pewpong.

He said the Chao Phraya and three other rivers which run through the province from the North —  the Noi, the Pasak and the Lop Buri – have overflowed.

Floods have affected nearly 170,000 people in 11 districts, 122 sub-districts and 786 villages, he said, predicting that flood waters should completely recede later this month.

He said Ayutthaya historical park, the old city island, ancient buildings, industrial estates and business zones have been inundated.

More than 100,000 rai of rice fields in Bang Ban, Sena, Pak Hai and Maharaj districts had been under water which was diverted from nearby areas but farmers had the good fortune to have finished harvesting their second crop, he said.