Thai flash floods kill 27 holidaymakers*

Reuters
Saturday, April 14, 2007; 12:11 PM

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Flash floods killed at least 27 people and injured
more than 20 at three waterfalls in the southern Thai province of Trang
on Saturday as they celebrated the Thai New Year, disaster officials said.

Rescue teams were searching the area for about 30 people believed
missing after the floods, triggered by heavy rains, swept over the
waterfalls 10 km (six miles) apart in the Bantad Hill Range, the Health
Ministry's Relief Centre said.

Most of the victims were swimming below the Sai Roong (Rainbow) and Prai
Sawan (Heavenly Forest) falls during a long weekend holiday for the new
year Songkran festival and the search was difficult in the jungle area,
police said.

Thirteen children, 10 boys and three girls, were among the dead at falls
which are a popular destination for local families at holiday times.