Officials and residents in Pathum Thani's Muang and Sam Khok districts hastily repaired the eleven broken flood barriers to protect themselves from rising tides.
Later yesterday, the situation became so serious that residents were encouraged to either move their belongings to higher ground or evacuate, while Pathum Thani Hospital moved 28 critical patients to Bangkok and Samut Sakhon.
COLLAPSING WALLS
The flood barrier in Sam Khok district was beyond repair in three spots - Wat Kai Tia, Wat Tamnak and Wat Pa Fai - Pathum Thani Deputy Governor Phanthep Sriwanich said, adding that broken barricades were to blame for the extensive flooding.
Resident Siriporn Srinuan, 53, said she was concerned about where she would go if her home got flooded because her relatives' houses were already inundated.
In Muang district, the barrier at Wat Soparam broke in places and let some water into the temple, while the barrier at Wat Hong Pathummawas collapsed causing the temple to be totally submerged. Soldiers were trying to fix the barrier at Wat Hong Pathummawas yesterday.
Pathum Thani Governor Peerasak Hinmuangkao and Deputy Education Minister Surapong Eungampornwilai led the repair operations at Wat Pa Fai and tried using wooden pillars and sandbags to keep the water out. However, when the rushing tide broke the pillars in half, Surapong instructed officials to get large barrels filled with sand to keep the water out and Peerasak advised the use of concrete pillars.
Torrential floods hit Wat Nak and reportedly swept away a resident's pick-up truck and damaged homes on its way. Some residents parked their cars at the Santisuk Intersection bypass for safety.