The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is preparing to fend off the threat of flooding in the wake of three upcoming risk factors.
The risks come in the form of runoff water from the upper part of the country, heavy downpours over the capital, and the hightide period.
Deputy Bangkok Governor Pornthep Techapaiboon yesterday said runoff would likely reach Bangkok at the time the seawater level peaks, on October 2627, added to which the rainy season had not yet ended.
"But we believe we should be able to deal with the situation," he said.
A senior official said that as many as 27 communities in Bangkok were floodprone. "But the authorities have preventative measures in place," he said.
Pornthep said more than 200,000 sandbags had already been formed into temporary embankments in the capital along the Chao Phya River, in addition to the permanent embankment.
Both types of embankment are 2.5 metres above sea level.
Sanya Cheenimit, who heads the BMA's Drainage and Sewerage Department, said all 214 water gates in the capital were now closed to prevent water from the Chao Phya from flowing into canals.
"All 157 pump stations in Bangkok are also ready to help pump flood water out," he added.
Floods have been ravaging through 17 provinces. According to the Disaster Mitigation and Prevention Department, at least 11 floodrelated deaths were reported between October 10 and October 19.
Metresdeep flood water is now threatening to overwhelm Chaiyaphum, where the heart of the town is already impassable to all types of landtransport vehicles.
Signs have gone up in the province telling motorists to avoid the Muang Chaiyaphum municipality area and to opt for a bypass instead.
The area is totally flooded, upsetting the lives of more than 20,000 families.
Chaiyaphum Governor Jarin Jakkapak said the torrent of flood water was fierce in many areas, making it impossible for rowboats to reach flood victims.
"There aren't enough boats," he said, "We have been contacting the authorities for help."
Chaiyaphum Hospital, which has more than 550 inpatients, was busy yesterday moving equipment and patients from the first floor to the second floor, as flood water had started to break through despite a temporary embankment.
The flood situation in Nakhon Ratchasima remained critical.
Meanwhile, in Nakhon Sawan, about 1,000 families in Tha Tako district remained marooned by chestdeep flood water and had to wait for food provided by the authorities.
Four other districts of Nakhon Sawan were also seriously inundated.
As the flood situation worsened in his province, Lampang Governor Atikhom Supanpong yesterday declared Tambon Mae Phrik a disaster zone.
In Khon Kaen, floods marooned hundreds of houses in Phu Pha Man district. Rescue workers were trying hard to reach all those affected as of press time.
In Uthai Thani, the flood level continued to rise rapidly, almost reaching the second floor of many houses.
Flooding has now spread to provinces close to Bangkok.
In Ayutthaya, many areas in Tha Ruea district were under 80centimetredeep water yesterday. Ayutthaya is about a 90minute drive from Bangkok.
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Speed of water flow at Chao Phya Dam
Current speed: 2,333 cubic metres per second
Affected province: Ayutthaya
If the speed is: 2,500 cubic metres per second
Provinces to be affected: Sing Buri, Angthong, Chai Nat
If the speed is: Over 3,500 cubic metres per second
Provinces to be affected: Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi and Bangkok
Source: Royal Irrigation Department