Thai PM hopeful of floods easing

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.

Waters were receding from many inundated areas of Thailand – leaving 381 people dead – but the misery remained for several communities still under water and feverish efforts to protect Bangkok continued as runoff water from the north pushed through on its way to the Gulf of Thailand.