The severe flooding in southern Thailand is a short-term drag on economic activity, but eventually will support a rebound in retail and construction-related stocks once the recovery begins, say analysts.

Flooding persisted in nine southern provinces on Thursday, with water reported to be receding in three provinces, including hard-hit Songkhla.

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was visited by his three children and their families at Klongprem Central Prison in Bangkok on Thursday, in a rare close-contact session arranged as part of New Year celebrations.

The government has rejected accusations of mismanagement and delays in responding to severe flooding in southern Thailand, insisting that evacuation advisories were issued in advance and many residents chose not to leave.

HONG KONG – A huge fire ripped through several high-rise blocks in a Hong Kong residential estate on Wednesday, killing at least 13 people, with media reporting that more residents were trapped inside.

SONGKHLA: The tragic story of a woman forced to store her drowned mother’s body in a floating refrigerator as floodwaters poured through their home in Hat Yai has drawn an outpouring of sympathy on social media.