HAT YAI – Flood rescue teams in Thailand readied drones to deliver aid on Thursday and helicopters dropped supplies to people marooned on rooftops as waters receded, raising hope for more ground evacuations.

The Court of Appeal has approved the extradition from Thailand of a prominent Vietnamese activist who was granted refugee status by the United Nations, in a case that is being watched by numerous international human rights groups.

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.

Thirty-three people had been killed by the severe flooding in the South as of Wednesday, with water levels continuing to rise in most of the inundated provinces.

From an early age, Pichitra Boonyarataphan grew up watching her mother Lumyong — a legendary pioneer in the Thai fashion industry and founder of the Rapee Fashion House and Dressmaking Institute — laboriously sew, embroider and modify intricate outfits.

All shuttle services between Hat Yai airport and the city centre have been temporarily suspended because all roads in the area have been made impassable by flooding.