In Thailand, severe flooding across much of the country has cost the lives of at least 140 people, with almost seven million affected. Officials today said the deaths across eight southern provinces bring the total nationwide toll to 140, with homes and businesses inundated and farmland damaged.The official toll does not include the bodies of 12 Thai fishermen found floating off the coast of Pattani. Police believe their trawler capsized night in rough seas. Officials said 50 of Thailand's 76 provinces have been affected by the floods but the high waters have subsided in 20 of these. Bangkok has been on standby but has so far avoided major flooding.