Bangkok closes airports and a million people flee as floods rise

Bangkok airport under water

Flood victims

Thailand has been hit by the worst floods for 50 years which have killed over 360 people. Bangkok has swamped by flood waters and Don Muang airport in the north is the area worst affected by flooding, was forced to close yesterday.

The international airport remains open for now despite the floods which have hit most areas of Thailand. To prevent the full brunt of the floods hitting the Thai capital, the government decided to try to divert the flow of water into canals in the east of Bangkok and then into the sea. However, water from overflowing canals is now seeping into the city's outer districts.

In Bangkok, 227 commercial banks and financial institution branches in the city centre closed on Saturday. More than 650,000 people are thought to be temporarily out of work amid massive industrial disruption has been caused by the floods.

Thailand's prime minister has urged Bangkok residents to get ready to move their belongings to higher ground as water begins seeping into the suburbs.