Flood water enters Bangkok airport

Floodwaters have just reached Don Muang airport in the Thai capital, leaving thousands of people to leave here to evacuate.

Don Muang, one of Bangkok's two major airports, which is home to Thailand's flood control campaign headquarters, reported. This center may also be transferred to another location.

In addition to those present at Don Muang airport, residents of the other 5 regions also need to prepare for flooding and should move their belongings to a higher position as well as to evacuation centers, Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra said at a press conference today.

Tents in Don Muang airport are temporary shelters
time for thousands of people to run floods in Thailand. (Photo: EPA)

The gymnasium of Thammasat University, once used as an evacuation center, is also flooded, losing power and receiving orders to evacuate. About 4,000 people here will be taken on buses to the Rajamangala Stadium in central Bangkok, with the help of about 400 volunteers.

In the east of Bangkok, industrial zones such as Lat Krabang and Bang Chan are still threatened by flood waters. Volunteers continue to work with people in this area to build flood protection dikes with sand bags. Bangkok Governor urged people not to fear and regularly pay attention to warning information.

In an interview yesterday, Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said authorities were trying to control the water level by using dams and dykes to prevent floods."Protecting Bangkok is a top priority, because this is the economic center of the whole country," said Ms. Yingluck. "But that doesn't mean we don't care about the people affected by floods in other regions."

The decision to lead water through the channels in Bangkok means that some parts of this city and surrounding areas, such as Rangsit, are flooded. People in these places move away from flooded houses with boats or anything that can float in the floodwaters. Many people accepted to wade in the water with bags containing furniture on their heads, or pets that were wrapped in clothes.

The historic flood in Thailand took place over the past two months, affecting one-third of the provinces and three-quarters of the country. At least 356 people were killed and nearly 9 million people were directly impacted on life. The Thai government has set up 1,700 evacuation zones nationwide to provide shelter for about 113,000 people. This is the worst flood in Thailand in the last half century and floodwaters will only be withdrawn in about 6 weeks.