NU Online News Service, Nov. 1, 11:45 a.m.EDT

Officials in Thailand say insurance losses from months offlooding could cost insurers plenty, with some estimates running ashigh as $13 billion as floods reached industrial zones.

Most of the loss would be paid by Japanese insurers, a majorinsurance broker adds.

Sixty of Thailand's 76 provinces have been affected by floodingcaused by heavy monsoon rains beginning in July, according to areport released by London-based insurancebroker Jardine Lloyd Thompson (JLT).

In October, water was released from the Chao Phraya Rivernetwork of dams as they reached full capacity. Flood waters fromthis course of action threatened Bangkok, the nation's capital, butmeasures to hold back the water from the center of the city weresuccessful.

However, water did reach the nation's industrial zones, whichcontain nearly 10,000 factories, JLT says. Thousands of factoriesclosed, as access was impossible.

JLT says Thailand's Office of Insurance Commission estimatesinsured losses for the entire disaster will total close to $5billion. Japanese insurers will assume 80 percent of the loss.

Some reports put insured losses up to $13 billion, says JLT. Areport from Aon Benfield says Deutsche Bankputs the insured-loss figure for Japan insurers at $2.5billion.

JLT says government officials believe it will be about threemonths before waters recede. The entire flood crisis could cost thenation $30 billion.

Aon Benfield notes the flooding is not confined to Thailand.Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar have experienced extensiveflooding and hundreds of deaths.

Close to 400 people in Thailand have died from the floods. Inthe other four Asian countries, the death toll could number closeto 450 or more.