Nearly a third of Thai provinces hit by flooding

Officials in Thailand warned that monsoon rains may extend flooding that has already badly affected 27 provinces, almost a third of the country's total.

Tropical storm Tianmu over the weekend had swept through the upper part of Thailand, causing flash floods that affected almost 60,000 families.

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha traveled to Sukhothai province to meet with flooding victims and hand out aid packages on Sunday. Authorities said 12 provinces along the Chao Phraya river, including Bangkok and the old capital Ayutthaya, should be prepared for new flooding as water levels increase.