A total of 252 people were confirmed dead and three people were missing in the floods that have inundated many provinces for more than two months, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department reported on Friday.
Floods still prevail in 212 districts of 28 provinces, effecting 2,696,521 people.
The provinces are Sukhothai, Chiang Mai, Lampang, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Chai Nat, Singburi, Angthong, Ayutthaya, Lopburi, Saraburi, Suphanburi, Nakhon Pathom, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Ubon Ratchathani, Khon Kaen, Si Sa Ket, Surin, Nakhon Ratchasima, Loei, Roi Et, Buri Ram, Chachoengsao, Nakhon Nayok and Prachinburi.
Photos by Tawatchai Kemgumnerd
Disaster centre officials reported the confirmed death toll from the floods at 252, with three people missing.
In Bangkok, the government has set up a flood relief command centre at Don Mueang Airport, using a vacant meeting room.
Prime Minister's Office secretary Wim Rungwattanachinda said Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is the director of the centre.
Ms Yingluck late this morning chaired an urgent meeting of state agency officials at the flood war room to discuss ways to tackle the continuing disaster, which just seems to get worse.
"The prime minister instructed all ministries to assign at least one representative to the centre, where all flood-related information will be gathered. The flood war room will be the centre in sending needed information and data to various agencies," Mr Wim said.
Mr Wim said the premier also instructed the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology to open a hotline centre flood victims can call to get needed assistance.
Don Mueang Airport's carpark buildings are now available free of charge for use by people who are worried that their vehicles could be submerged.
Airports of Thailand acting president Somchai Sawasdeepol said the airport carpark building can accommodate about 3,000 cars.
State-run schools will also be opened for use as temporary accommodation for people affected by the extensive flooding across the nation.
Education Minister Worawat Ua-apinyakul said flood victims can store their belongings at state-run schools and other education institutes for the time being, and food will also be provided for them every day.
Agencies with medical staff had been asked to send volunteers to offer medical check-ups and treat people with ailments.
Mr Worawat said the ministry had allocated funds for schools and education institutes that provide assistance to flood victims.
A budget of 470 million baht had also been allocated for repairing schools damaged by floods, the minister said.
"The Department of Vocational Education will construct stone barriers to protect areas from flooding as they are stronger than sandbag barriers.
"Micro-organisms will also be used to treat stagnant flood water," Mr Worawat said.
In Ayutthaya, dozens of crocodiles have escaped from a farm in Bang Ban district after it was inundated.
Authorities have warned people in tambon Ban Kum of the inundated province to watch out for about 25 ecaped crocodiles.
Reports said most of the missing reptiles were about one metre in length.
The Energy Ministry said it will set up a command centre to closely monitor the flood situation and ensure energy supplies in all regions.
Energy Minister Pichai Naripthaphan said it would oversee the energy situation and ensure oil refineries, gas separation plants and petrochemical plants were not flooded. It would also make sure that the emergency energy reserve is in place, the minister said.
Science and Technology Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi travelled to Ayutthaya to assess the flood situation and offer help to the flood victims.
"Urgent assistance is needed as there are many industrial estates in Ayutthaya and the province is considered to be the heart of the country's economy.
"After surveying the areas by boat, I've learned that many people are refusing to flee their homes because they're worried about their belongings," Mr Plodprasop said.
The minister said he will ask that more troops be sent to Ayutthaya so they can help guard absent villagers' belongings.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) notified the government through its office in Bangkok that it is ready to help Ayutthaya cope with floods and provide emergency assistance to help save other listed World Heritage sites in the province if requested.
Prime Minister's Office Minister Krissana Seehalak said Prime Minister Yingluck will address the people by a broadcast on the TV pool at 8pm on the flood situation and measures to deal with it.
Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand acting governor Prasopsin Chotimongkol said the IEAT has sent letters to manufacturers in the Ban Wa (Hi-Tech) industrial estate in Ayutthaya, asking them to temporary close their plants from today until Oct 11.
The Hi-Tech industrial estate is located in Bang Pa-in district.
The request is intended to minimise flood damage and allow the IEAT to implement measures to prevent floodwater from flowing into the industrial estate's area, Mr Prasopsin said.
The IEAT has set up a flood prevention centre at Bang Pa-in industrial estate, he added.
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