[Coolhand]

BANGKOK, Aug. 14 (Xinhuanet) -- At least one person was dead and seven were seriously injured when flash floods hit Thailand's province of Chiang Mai Saturday.

Local meteorological officials warned that the Ping River is continuously rising and might inundate large areas of the northern capital, according to the Thai News Agency Sunday.

Early Sunday, the Ping River overflowed its banks, inundating the city center, forcing many residents to flee their homes as the water level continues to rise.

In some downtown areas and along the river banks, the floor water is more than one meters deep causing small cars unable to move.

Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, an area famous for local and foreign tourists to shop, was inundated by pre-dawn floods. Traders raced against the clock to pack their merchandise and other belongings to higher ground.

Riverside residents also suffered from flash floods caused by several days of torrential rains.

Roads in higher areas are crowded by vehicles moving from submerged land. Enditem