British travellers in Thailand are being advised to “exercise caution” due to heavy flooding affecting areas in the north and centre of the country.
More than 260 people have died as flood defences appeared to be preventing the rising waters from deluging the low lying capital of Bangkok.
Foreign governments are flying emergency supplies of sandbags into the country as thousands of troops and volunteers continued to strengthen the flood defences along Bangkok’s northern perimeter.
Prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra said the government was doing everything in its power to reduce suffering of those affected, while ministers said they believed the capital would probably be spared.
Bangkok governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra said he feared the city’s flood defences were weakest in the north-west, the point where flood waters could flow around or through any breaches in temporary dykes.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: “Heavy rainfall across the country continues to cause widespread flooding, flash floods and mudslides and has resulted in disruption and over 260 deaths.
“The most affected areas are in the north, north-east and central Thailand.
“Airports, including Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International, are operating normally. There has been some disruption to road and rail transport, particularly on routes north of Bangkok.
“If you are in an affected area exercise caution and follow the advice of local authorities.”