Floodwaters surround a temple in Muang district of Nakhon Ratchasima after the Lam Khiangkrai River overflowed into riverside communities. (Photo by Prasit Tangprasert)

Overflow from the Lam Khiangkrai River in Nakhon Ratchasima has swamped riverside communities in Muang district, flooding 500 houses and thousands of rai of farmland.

At Lam Choeng Krai village in tambon Khok Sung, floodwater was between 30 centimetres and one metre deep on Saturday. More than 5,000 rai of agricultural areas were submerged.

Nakhon Ratchasima governor Wichian Chantharanothai on Saturday inspected flood-hit areas in the community and provided assistance to affected households. He ordered officials to survey damage caused to farmland.

In Phimai district, the Chakkarat River burst its banks on Saturday, affecting more than 20 households. Residents of Wang Kum village rushed to move their belongings to higher ground as floodwater rose above 30cm. Some householders were unable to get their belongings to safety in time as the water rose rapidly.

Authorities have warned residents of riverside communities in Chalerm Phrakiat and Phimai districts to brace themselves for possible flooding as excess water from the Lam Khiangkai River was now flowing into the Moon River.

In Ayutthaya, meanwhile, riverside communities in Bang Ban district have been inundated for almost one week after the Chao Phraya Dam discharged water to accommodate runoff from the North. Many houses, schools and temples in tambon Bang Hak were surrounded by water almost 80cm deep.

Phra Athikarn Pirom Thammatheero, the abbot of Wat Amphawa in Bang Ban, said water discharges from the dam affected the temple every year.

Seven districts in Ayutthaya have been affected so far by the discharge of water from two dams, with one district declared a disaster area.

Udomsak Khaonuna, chief of the provincial disaster prevention and mitigation office, said the Chao Phraya Dam in Chai Nat was discharging water at a rate of 1,998 cubic metres per second. Discharges from the Rama VI Dam in Tha Rua district of Ayutthaya into the Pasak River were running at 491 cu m per second. This had led to flooding that affected a total of 21,529 households in 455 villages.

The affected districts are Bang Ban, Sena, Phak Hai, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Bang Pa-in, Bang Sai and Bang Pahan, said Mr Udomsak. Of the seven, only Sena has been declared a disaster area so far but the others are being assessed, he added.

Nittaya Hiranpradit, head of the Ayutthaya public relations office, said only riverside communities were hit by the flooding, while other ancient sites and tourist venues were not affected.

Those sites remain open for visitors every day, with police patrols to protect tourists' safety and property, she said.

Boat access is needed at the chapel at Wat Amphawa in Bang Ban district of Ayutthaya where water discharged from the Chao Phraya Dam has inundated many communities. (Photo by Sunthon Pongpao)