High tide peaks in Thailand

***NHK***

High tide peaks in Thailand

The spring tide in Thailand peaked at noon and again on Saturday evening. However, major flood damage was avoided in the business district and other busy areas in central Bangkok.

Soldiers rescued elderly people stranded in their homes as the seasonal high tide prevented the Chao Phraya River from flowing into the sea.

After the Don Muang Airport became flooded, the government decided to move its disaster relief taskforce headquarters from the airport terminal building to the center of the capital.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said that the worst has passed and life will begin returning to normal from next week. However, observers say her comment is premature because the floodwaters have not been contained and soldiers remain on the alert.

Sunday, October 30, 2011 05:44 +0900 (JST)