Thai floods death toll climbs to 68

The death toll from the floods which have been affecting Thailand for over a month has risen to 68, the Ministry of Interior reported on Thursday. Chatchai Promlert, director general of the ministry's Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department, said that the floods, caused by monsoon and depression, have ravaged 359 districts in 46 provinces of the country and continues in 93 districts of 22 provinces, affecting over 670,000 of some 230,000 households. Prachin Buri and Chachoengsao, located in the northeast part of the country, are among the provinces that are facing the most severe flooding situation. Authorities on Tuesday put the death toll at 61. Earlier this month, Tourism and Sports Minister Somsak Phurisisak said that the floods, which are mostly affecting the north, northeastern and central regions, have caused damage to tourism at about 22.6 million U.S. dollars.