A week of torrential rains hit the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. Yesterday, the Thai Navy rescued 800 tourists. Caritas Thailand has launched a series of operations in flooded areas. Lack of food and drinking water. Catholic institutions have postponed the start of summer camps.

Bangkok (AsiaNews / Agencies) – At least 21 deaths - all Thai citizens - dozens of people missing and 84 thousand displaced people, many of them tourists; this is the toll of a week of torrential rains that hit the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. Persistent rains in the south of the country have caused floods and landslides, the Civil Protection Department reports that 61 highways were flooded. Meanwhile, the Thai Catholic Church has taken steps to bring aid to affected populations, especially in the southern province of Nakhon Sri Thammarat where "it rained day and night for several days."

Yesterday, the navy deployed ships and helicopters to recover more than 800 tourists stranded by heavy rains in the southern islands. A further 730 passengers spent the night on board the HTMS Chakri Naruebet, a Royal Navy ship, encamped on makeshift mattresses. The displaced people all come from the island of Koh Tao, while a group of 100 was relocated to other islands, including Koh Phangam. The Ministry of Tourism reports that the foreign tourists, who come mostly from the United States, Australia, France, Britain and Russia are at present in Bangkok and Pattaya.

The Catholic Church immediately activated relief operations in the areas most affected by the floods which have damaged several churches and schools. An official of Caritas Thailand told Ucanews that there is an ongoing forum for coordinating efforts in the field. "We sent a team to the region - said the official - to see what kind of aid is needed and we invited Catholic institutions to support those affected."

Fr. Amornkit Prompakdee of the diocese of Surat Thani, said he helped "those affected with food and drinking water, now we are evaluating the situation to understand what is needed". Sister Jintana Rattanasakchaichan, of Mariapitak school in Sri Thammarat, adds that "food is starting to run low in the region" and Catholic institutions have postponed the start of the summer camps. The Ministry of Education reports that so far about 600 schools have been damaged due to torrential rains last week, with damaged furniture, books and other equipment.

• Thailand
• floods
• rains
• tourism
• south
• relief
• catholic
• church