BANGKOK - THE death toll from heavy monsoon flooding across Thailand has risen to 23, the health ministry said on Tuesday, with one million people affected by the bad weather.

Flood waters brought by heavy rain have inundated 27 of Thailand's 76 provinces since September 11, wrecking homes and farmland and causing nearly eight million dollars in damage.

More than 230,000 have sought medical treatment for flood-related ailments, the health ministry said.

'Of the 23 people who have died, almost half were children under 12 and elderly people,' it said.

Flood waters are going down in many places, but officials have warned people in low-lying areas to be on the lookout for flash floods and mudslides. -- AFP