Thai inmates leave their prison cells, but not in the circumstances they would like.<br/> Around 1,700 prisoners are being evacuated by authorities due to severe flooding in the ancient city of Ayutthaya.<br/> With each convict handcuffed to another inmate, the men slowly waded through chest high waters to flee the prison building.<br/> Officials said that the men were evacuated due to safety concerns.<br/> (SOUNDBITE) (Thai) DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL OF CORRECTION DEPARTMENT SOMSAK RANGSIYOPAS, SAYING:<br/> "There is lots of water this year, the water level is at 150- 170 cm. If the convicts remained inside it would not be safe."<br/> The entire city is struggling with the severity of this year's floods.<br/> One resident said these were the worst deluge decades.<br/> (SOUNDBITE) (Thai) SUCHART THANOMWARAPORN AYUTTHAYA RESIDENT, SAYING:<br/> "This is worse than in 1995, it's never been this bad. I've lived her for 20 years and this year is the worst."<br/> On Tuesday government officials said that at least 244 people have died in floods in Thailand since mid July.<br/> Simon Hanna, Reuters.
