NATIONAL AND THAI GOVERNMENT

Heavy rain and flooding hit several northern and northeastern provinces while local authorities are prepared for more rain as tropical storm Nok-Ten enters Thailand Sunday. In Phrae, flash flooding triggered by heavy rainfalls hit several areas in Rong Kwang district. A portion of Phrae-Nan road from the municipality office to the district office and the Rong Kwang police station is under about 50 centimetres of water. In Den Chai and Mueng district, several villages were inundated. Chuan Sirinanthaporn, Phrae governor warned local residents in disaster-prone areas of flash flood and mudslide. In the northeastern province of Nongkhai, heavy rain and flooding hit many areas including the municipality. Many main roads are currently under water. People evacuated their belongings to higher ground. Meanwhile, as a by-election is being held in Constituency 2 on Sunday after the Pheu Thai candidate was given a yellow card, officials worried that the heavy rains may result in low voter turnout. Several provinces in the North have released water from reservoirs to prepare for more rainfall stemming from tropical storm Nok-Ten.

Pattaya Times newspaper reports that airline and rail service have been suspended in some areas due to heavy rain and flooding, while flash floods have caused property damage and power outages. Government hospitals in Thailand's north and northeast are on standby for flash floods and emergency medical services.

After the election, the winning Prime Minister may need Chonburi's Phalungchon Party coalition votes to form a new government which would bring added development funds to Pattaya and the region.

The Pattaya Times reports as the July 3rd election nears political parties are ramping up supporters to stage rallies in Bangkok. This could lead to unrest and certainly will lead to traffic delays and other disruptions around the site of the CentralWorld attacks about a year ago.