South Africans Caught in Devastating Thailand Floods PHOTOS

While South Africa – particularly Gauteng and Mpumalanga – has been experiencing heavy downpours over the past few days… on the other side of the world Thailand has suffered a week of unseasonable downpours which have led to at least 12 fatalities and many villages totally flooded with water up to their rooves.

South African expat and teacher Erica Westgate, from Durban, lives in the country and was caught up in the devastating floods and captured these photos near Amphoe Muang Phatthalung and Trang in Thailand.

“A whole group of us had gone away for New Year to a wonderful place called Tonsai, approximately 380km away from where I live. Two of us die-hard Safa’s – myself and a youngster – made the trip on scooters because we love exploring Thailand by bike.

“But it turned out to be the wrong time of year! We got caught trying to get back home in time for school.”

The record rainfall is reported to be the worst in decades.

“Our ‘heavy’ monsoon season has not been that heavy for the last couple of years but it really came back with a vengeance this year,” says Erica.

Hundreds of schools in southern Thailand were damaged in the flash floods, and power cables were knocked over. Transport services, including flights, were disrupted by the record rainfall and many stranded people had to be rescued.

“Thankfully our town hasn’t been hit too hard. We had some flooding but nothing like what I witnessed on the way back here.  My pics don’t really do justice to the extent of damage and flooding… and in many places we were unable to get close enough.”

Fortunately Erica and her fellow South African friend got home safely.