The prime minister interviewed with CNN about the flood situation and said that since Bangkok is an important area in Thailand, it will be protected as much as possible, and that she is greatly concerned about the distress among residents.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra gave CNN an interview on Sunday, saying officials from all related units are doing their best to manage the water-level of dams and the effectiveness of the dikes to handle the unusual torrential downpours of the rainy season.

She said her main concern is the people who are distressed by the flooding, adding that Bangkok will be protected as much as possible because it is an economic hub of Thailand.

CNN reported that the Thai government has decided to let the water flow through the canals in Bangkok and its suburbs, including Rangsit District, to prevent the water from flowing into the inner city.

The flooding in this year is said to be the worst flooding in over half a century, and some areas may continue to suffer from flooding for another month before the water levels decrease.

CNN further reported that the water is now flowing towards Don Muang Airport and Thammasat University Rangsit Campus, which are temporary shelters for the flood victims.

The government asked victims to evacuate from both Don Muang Airport and Thammasat University Rangsit Campus to other evacuation centers provided at government offices for safety reasons.

The Ratchamangkala Stadium was declared as a temporary shelter for flood victims evacuated from Don Muang Airport and Thammasat University Rangsit Campus.

via Thai-ASEAN News Network.

UPDATE : 25 October 2011

Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra held his morning press conference at the headquarters of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. His main concerns this morning are water levels on the Chao Phraya River which are expected to reach record breaking points again today. The river water level could reach as high as 2.35 to 2.40 meters.Sukhumbhand asked residents to be careful and not take the situation for granted. If residents are not confident in the situation, they should move to evacuation centers available in many areas.Once again, the governor reiterated that residents living along the banks of the Chao Phraya, both inside and outside the flood barriers, should brace themselves for unusually high water levels. Locals living along canals directly connected to the Chao Phraya should also remain alert as high tide is expected October 28 to 30. At those times, levels might reach 2.60 meters, 10 centimeters higher than Bangkok’s flood barriers.

Sukhumbhand admitted that Don Muang District remains flooded. However, BMA officials are making sure the flood water does not affect the operations of the Flood Relief Operations Center.