At least 40 people were dead killed today and 43 missing after flash floods swept through three remote villages in Thailand's northern Phetchabun province.
Heavy rains caused muddy floodwaters to crash through villagers' homes, submerging some, cutting off roads and trapping residents living in the area, 345 km north of Bangkok.
Relatives of the victims from neighbouring areas were unable to get to the flood-hit villages to help those affected, he said without giving more details.
A local television station reported that rain was still pouring in the area. Thailand is now in the throes of its annual rainy season.