Bangkok cannot avoid flooding

Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra today admitted that he could not protect Bangkok from Thailand's historic flood and called the current situation "a national crisis".

>>>Bangkok is sinking . into the sea

"We can't stop water forever," said Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, adding that the government will select some areas for overflowing to minimize the impact. "The more you block, the higher the water will rise. We need to let water go through some areas from there to remove it from the sea."

Two girls cling to a plastic basin to evacuate the flood on the outskirts of Bangkok. (Photo: AFP)

The government tried to prevent water from entering the capital from the central and eastern provinces, which were already flooded with meters. Bangkok's inner city has long been unaffected by Thailand's most severe flood for decades, as officials diverted water to areas outside the capital. However, efforts to prevent water from entering the city of 12 million people have become increasingly complicated by an upcoming great tide.

"Floods come from all directions and cannot be controlled. We will try to warn the people , " said Yingluck, who has been in power for about two months now. "This is a big problem, a national crisis so I hope all people cooperate."

The three-month-long heavy rain has killed 320 people, destroyed homes and caused millions of people to lose their livelihoods. Tens of thousands of people in the northern and central provinces must live in temporary shelters. Currently, a third of Thailand's provinces are flooded.

The opposition Democratic Party asked the government to declare a state of emergency to facilitate public control of the people, and to prevent them from breaking the dyke to free the country from their region.

Mayor Bangkok Sukhumbhand Paribatra yesterday warned that seven districts in Bangkok's east and north are at risk of flooding due to breakages. He urged people in these areas to disconnect electricity, transfer furniture to high areas and study the city's evacuation plan. He said they have 24 hours to prepare for the upcoming flood.

Many industrial parks in Thailand are also submerged in the country, causing hundreds of factories to cease operations, affecting the work of production lines of cars, electrical goods and many other products. However, most of Thailand's tourist destinations are not yet affected. Bangkok's main airport still operates normally and flood protection measures have been taken here.