FLOODWATER encircled two industrial estates in the east of Bangkok yesterday and closed in on the centre of the capital, disrupting bus services, although mass transit train systems were still running and commercial districts remained dry.

The main river coursing through Thailand’s capital swelled to record highs today amid fears that flood defences could break and swamp the heart of the city.

Thai troops armed with assault rifles moved into Bangkok’s central business district today to stop thousands of anti-government protesters who had threatened to march down the capital’s “Wall Street”.