Clinton greets Thai flood victims in evacuation unit

US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is shown respect, and returns it, to a Thai flood victim during her visit (EPA)

The US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, visited an evacuation centre for Thai flood victims yesterday, a day after announcing a $10m aid package.

Ms Clinton exchanged the traditional Thai greeting known as "wai" – bowing deeply while pressing the palms together near the face – with some of the more than 1,400 evacuees living in gymnasiums in the Ratchamangala National Stadium complex.

Nearly a third of Thailand's 77 provinces, including Bangkok, have been hit by floods since late July. More than one-fifth of the country's 64 million people have been affected, and at least 567 have died.