Advancing pools of filthy water threatened the Thai capital’s underground system today and surrounded the emergency headquarters set up to deal with flooding that has claimed more than 500 lives nationwide.

Thailand’s prime minister says she is optimistic the country’s worst flooding in a half-century will mostly spare Bangkok, as some dykes overflowed but the capital’s defences otherwise held firm during critical high tides.

A 603lb woman believed to be the heaviest in Thailand left her apartment for the first time in three years yesterday – with the help of Bangkok City Hall and a forklift.

A 603lb woman believed to be the heaviest in Thailand left her apartment for the first time in three years today – with the help of Bangkok city hall and a forklift.