© Nicolas Asfouri/AFP/Getty ImagesA woman holds a toddler as she walks through floodwaters in an area near the Chao Praya river in Bangkok on October 29, 2011.
Several districts of Bangkok, meanwhile, now have a high chance of being spared inundation. They include Phasi Charoen, Sathon, Din Daeng, Pom Prab, Suan Luang, Pathum Wan and Phya Thai, according to Deputy Bangkok Governor Thirachon Manomaipiboon.
He said some districts of western Bangkok, such as Bang Khunthien, would very likely be spared too.
"The chance is about 20 per cent," Thirachon said.
Science Minister Plodprasob Surassawadee, speaking in his capacity as operations chief at the Flood Relief Operations Centre (FROC), said between 80 and 90 per cent of Bangkok's western zone was likely to experience flooding.
"The water is flowing down to the western zone without any flood barrier," Plodprasob said. He believed that the house of Deputy Premier Chalerm Yoobamrung, which is in Bang Bon, would be flooded as well.
Plodprasob said there was about 8 billion cubic metres of run-off in areas north of the capital. Large amounts of this were expected to flow through areas on both sides of Bangkok, but Plodprasob said the west would face the biggest impact.
© Daniel Berehulak /Getty ImagesThai residents make their way across a flooded street close to the rising waters of the Chao Phraya river on October 30, 2011 in Bangkok.
As of press time, run-off water in Bangkok's west had swamped the inbound Borommaratchachonnanee Road in Taling Chan district.
But he assured Bangkok residents that the run-off would not suddenly rush into people's neighbourhoods.
"It will flow slowly," he explained. He said the sun would evaporate a sizeable portion of water.
© Aaron Favila/APA Thai man wades along chest-deep floodwaters in the outskirts of Bangkok on October 27, 2011.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday assured the public that the flood situation had improved.
Asked whether the crisis had bottomed out in Bangkok, Yingluck said, "I think so".
Yet, flooding remained a big problem in many parts of the capital yesterday. Water had spread to wider areas and more roads were impassable.
Lat Phrao District Office director Bophit Saengkaew said relevant officials were closely monitoring the situation and if floods became serious, locals would be evacuated. There were six evacuation centres in Lat Phrao district.
© Kyodo News/APHouses in a residential area are submerged in the northern section of Bangkok on October 30, 2011.
He spoke after Don Muang and Sai Mai districts were fully flooded. Kasetsart University was also inundated. In the face of rising floodwater, the 11th Infantry Regiment also had to move military supplies and weapons to safe places.
Many people were seen travelling along the heavily flooded Vibhavadi Rangsit Road in boats and rafts.
Don Mueang Airport, which had been home to FROC till Saturday, also saw water levels rising. Many planes have been parked on the flooded runway.
© Aaron Favila/APThai workers and soldiers try to fix the breach at a temporary wall during high tide in Bangkok on October 30, 2011.
Ananta Samakhon Throne Hall was also surrounded with thick barriers and sandbags.
The high tide pushed the Chao Phraya River to a record level yesterday, sending water into many spots including Rama III Road. The spill-over was well under control, however, officials said.
© Paula Bronstein /Getty ImagesFlood victims watch TV at the Don Muang airport, which had become an evacuation center, on October 23, 2011 in Bangkok. It has since been evacuated.
© Damir Sagolj/ReutersA man floats on a truck tire with supplies of beer as floods advance into central Bangkok on October 26, 2011.
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