Thai floods death toll rises to 366

The death toll from Thailand’s catastrophic flooding rose to 366 today.

The Flood Relief Operations Centre said water levels in provinces north of Bangkok were stable or subsiding, but the massive runoff was still bearing down on the city as it flowed south towards the Gulf of Thailand.

Authorities have declared seven of the capital’s 50 districts, located in the north and north west, at risk and those zones were experiencing minor flooding.

But most of Bangkok is normal and both airports are functioning.

Last night governor Suhumbhand Paribatra warned people in the north-western Bang Phlat district to move their belongings to higher ground after water in the Chao Phraya river crept in through a building site.

The floodwaters breached barriers defending Bangkok's second airport today and began seeping into the compound, forcing at least one airline based there to suspend flights for a week.

It was not immediately clear how much water had entered Don Muang airport, which is primarily used for domestic flights.

An airport official confirmed water had crept inside, but said runways were unaffected and flights were still operating normally.

Budget airline Nok Air suspended operations at Don Muang until November 1 “because water has entered the north side of the airport already”, the company’s chief executive Patee Sarasin said.

He said all airborne planes would be diverted to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, the country’s main international gateway. He said refunds would be given as needed.