1.
LS (PAN) FLOODED RICE FIELDS
7 ft

2.
LS SUBMERGED ROAD (TWO SHOTS)
13 1/2 ft

3.
MLS BOAT (PAN) FLOODED HOUSES
20 ft

4.
LS HOUSES (TWO SHOTS)
25 ft

5.
LS (PAN) FLOODED VILLAGE AND ROAD
29 1/2 ft

6.
MS TWO BOYS ROWING BOAT
32 1/2 ft

7.
MS WATER BUFFALOES IN SHED (THREE SHOTS)
40 1/2 ft

8.
MS PEOPLE IN ROWING BOATS ON FLOODED RICE FIELDS
47 ft



Initials CAR/S/MK/YA/RBI



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: LARGE ACRES OF RICE FIELDS IN THE LOW-LYING AREAS ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF BANGKOK, THE THAI CAPITAL, ARE UNDER WATER DUE TO CONTINUOUS MONSOON RAIN IN NEARBY PROVINCES. MORE RAIN COULD SPELL DISASTER TO THE RICH AGRICULTURAL AREAS.

THE RURAL COMMUNITY MAKES THE MOST OF THE SITUATION OF WHICH THEY HAVE BECOME ACCUSTOMED OVER THE YEARS. WATER LAPS THE FLOORBOARDS OF THEIR HOMES; AND SOME FAMILIES ARE BEING FORCED TO ROW THEIR WAY TO SAFETY IN SMALL BOATS -- COMMON IN THE RICE FIELDS.

THE WATER BUFFALOES ARE THE MOST VALUABLE POSSESSION OF THE PADI FARMER AND EVERY EFFORT IS MADE TO ENSURE THEIR SAFETY. BUFFALOES ARE USED FOR TILLING THE PADDY FIELDS.

AS FLOODING IS AN ANNUAL OCCURRENCE IN THAILAND, PARTICULARLY AROUND BANGKOK, THE THAI GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED ON PLANS FOR AN EXTENSIVE SERIES OF FLOOD-PREVENTION SCHEMES. THESE WILL BE IMPLEMENTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IN ORDER TO SAFEGUARD THE SOURCE OF THAILAND'S WEALTH -- THEIR RURAL EXPORTS, PARTICULARLY RICE.