Thai authorities on Tuesday rushed to protect parts of Bangkok from floodwaters that have already inundated 70,000 homes and killed six people in the country's northern and central provinces.

Tropical storm Dianmu has caused flooding in 30 provinces, with the kingdom's central region the worst hit, the Thai Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department said.

The level of the Chao Phraya River -- which snakes through Bangkok after winding almost 400 kilometres from the north -- is steadily rising as authorities release water from dams further upstream.

Soldiers on Tuesday set up barriers and sandbags to protect ancient archaeological ruins and landmarks as well as neighbourhoods in the old royal capital Ayutthaya, some 60 km (40 miles) north of Bangkok.

"Most of the banana trees that I planted have been submerged. It's all gone," Ayutthaya flood victim Somporn, 52, told AFP.

There are hopes Bangkok can avoid a repeat of the catastrophic 2011 monsoon season, when it experienced its worst flooding in decades -- a fifth of the city was underwater and more than 500 people died.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration says it is closely monitoring the Chao Phraya's water level and has water pumps and sandbags ready.

"We will give people a warning if there is a sign the water level is rising and if there is a risk of flash floods," Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang said on Tuesday.

Bangkok officials have begun piling sandbags outside banks and other businesses near a canal in Thonglor -- a shopping district and residential area popular with expats.

Once dubbed the "Venice of the East", the capital is built on former marshland and rests about 1.5 metres (five feet) above sea level.

In the past, farmland and rice paddies in low-lying areas absorbed flood water, but the city's expansion has seen much converted into real estate.

The city's flood prevention masterplan, involving underground reservoirs and tunnels, has not been fully built because of problems acquiring land, local media reported.

Over the weekend, emergency teams staged dramatic rescues evacuating villagers from rooftops in parts of Chaiyaphum province, about four hours northeast of the capital.

A TikTok user filmed a dramatic dog rescue in Lopburi province, as onlookers lowered a shirtless man into the raging torrent to fish out a paddling black pooch on Monday afternoon.

Thai authorities on Tuesday rushed to protect parts of Bangkok from floodwaters that have already inundated 70,000 homes and killed six people in the country's northern and central provinces.

Thai authorities on Tuesday rushed to protect parts of Bangkok from floodwaters that have already inundated 70,000 homes and killed six people in the country's northern and central provinces. Tropical storm Dianmu has caused flooding in 30 provinces, with the kingdom's central region the worst hit, the Thai Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department said. The level of the Chao Phraya River -- which snakes through Bangkok after winding almost 400 kilometres from the north -- is steadily rising as authorities release water from dams further upstream. Soldiers on Tuesday set up barriers and sandbags to protect ancient archaeological ruins and landmarks as well as neighbourhoods in the old royal capital Ayutthaya, some 60 km (40 miles) north of Bangkok. "Most of the banana trees that I planted have been submerged. It's all gone," Ayutthaya flood victim Somporn, 52, told AFP. There are hopes Bangkok can avoid a repeat of the catastrophic 2011 monsoon season, when it experienced its worst flooding in decades -- a fifth of the city was underwater and more than 500 people died. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration says it is closely monitoring the Chao Phraya's water level and has water pumps and sandbags ready. "We will give people a warning if there is a sign the water level is rising and if there is a risk of flash floods," Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang said on Tuesday. Bangkok officials have begun piling sandbags outside banks and other businesses near a canal in Thonglor -- a shopping district and residential area popular with expats. Once dubbed the "Venice of the East", the capital is built on former marshland and rests about 1.5 metres (five feet) above sea level. In the past, farmland and rice paddies in low-lying areas absorbed flood water, but the city's expansion has seen much converted into real estate. The city's flood prevention masterplan, involving underground reservoirs and tunnels, has not been fully built because of problems acquiring land, local media reported. Over the weekend, emergency teams staged dramatic rescues evacuating villagers from rooftops in parts of Chaiyaphum province, about four hours northeast of the capital. A TikTok user filmed a dramatic dog rescue in Lopburi province, as onlookers lowered a shirtless man into the raging torrent to fish out a paddling black pooch on Monday afternoon.

Bangkok on alert as 70,000 homes flooded in Thailand 

With demand for taxis drying up in Thailand and thousands of drivers leaving town, one Bangkok cab company has turned its vehicles into mini vegetable gardens, hoping to take the edge off the coronavirus crunch.

Out-of-work taxi garage converts into vegetable garden during COVID hardships

A group of Thai monks and volunteers decked out in personal protective equipment carefully navigate a golf cart pulling a trailer loaded with bags of fresh vegetables through bumpy roads as they head to a village on the outskirts of Bangkok.

Thai monks craft traditional grocery truck to donate food during COVID-19 pandemic

More than a thousand anti-government protesters clashed with police in Bangkok. They were protesting against the government's failure to handle Coronavirus outbreaks and its impact on the economy.

Thailand: Anti-govt protesters clash with the Police in Bangkok

Thailand is battling a surge in COVID-19 cases. The worsening situation has compelled the Thai government to send covered positive patients back from Hong Kong to their respective hometowns.

Thailand sends COVID-19 patients to hometowns by train

Thailand: Bangkok sends COVID-19 patients to hometowns by train

Amid a surge in coronavirus cases in the country, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thailand-reports-surge-in-covid-19-cases-several-infected-in-jails-385712">Thai </a>authorities on Thursday imposed night curfew in Bangkok including in ten provinces to combat the spread of the virus.

The country on Thursday reported 9,276, with 72 fatalities as authorities moved to halt non-essential travel and ordered people not to leave their house after 9pm until 4am.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/thailand-witnessing-third-wave-of-covid-19-376752/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Bangkok&nbsp;has witnessed a surge in cases as officials ordered beauty parlours, malls including&nbsp;popular spa and massage shops to close from Monday.

Last month authorities had reimposed restrictions in Bangkok halting work in construction sites and ordered restaurants to close in order to contain a wave of coronavirus cases.

Officials had detected a coronavirus cluster in Bangkok's upscale clubs including in overcrowded prisons as it opened checkpoints in southern provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala and Songkhla.

The government's coronavirus task force issued orders to work from home with residents barred from gathering in groups of more than five people.

However, authorities have allowed supermarkets, banks and pharmacies to remain open while shutting down public transport from 9 pm.&nbsp;

The virus disruption has hit the tourism sector hard which generates at least 20 per cent of the country's&nbsp;national income.&nbsp;

The authorities had tried to kick-start travel in the popular holiday island of Phuket allowing quarantine-free holidays to vaccinated travellers, however, not many travellers have signed up so far even as the government announced plans to allow travellers who have been fully vaccinated from October.

Phuket had&nbsp;closed most of its hotels for over a year, however, reports say two-thirds of Phuket's population has been vaccinated.&nbsp;

However, authorities had put other restrictions with travellers asked to stay at the holiday destination for at least 14 days if they wished to travel across the country and to take three coronavirus tests.

(With inputs from Agencies) 
&nbsp;

Amid a surge in coronavirus cases in the country, Thai authorities on Thursday imposed night curfew in Bangkok including in ten provinces to combat the spread of the virus.

Amid a surge in coronavirus cases in the country, Thai authorities on Thursday imposed night curfew in Bangkok including in ten provinces to combat the spread of the virus. The country on Thursday reported 9,276, with 72 fatalities as authorities moved to halt non-essential travel and ordered people not to leave their house after 9pm until 4am. Watch: Bangkok has witnessed a surge in cases as officials ordered beauty parlours, malls including popular spa and massage shops to close from Monday. Last month authorities had reimposed restrictions in Bangkok halting work in construction sites and ordered restaurants to close in order to contain a wave of coronavirus cases. Officials had detected a coronavirus cluster in Bangkok's upscale clubs including in overcrowded prisons as it opened checkpoints in southern provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala and Songkhla. The government's coronavirus task force issued orders to work from home with residents barred from gathering in groups of more than five people. However, authorities have allowed supermarkets, banks and pharmacies to remain open while shutting down public transport from 9 pm. The virus disruption has hit the tourism sector hard which generates at least 20 per cent of the country's national income. The authorities had tried to kick-start travel in the popular holiday island of Phuket allowing quarantine-free holidays to vaccinated travellers, however, not many travellers have signed up so far even as the government announced plans to allow travellers who have been fully vaccinated from October. Phuket had closed most of its hotels for over a year, however, reports say two-thirds of Phuket's population has been vaccinated. However, authorities had put other restrictions with travellers asked to stay at the holiday destination for at least 14 days if they wished to travel across the country and to take three coronavirus tests. (With inputs from Agencies)

Thailand imposes night curfew in Bangkok amid surge in virus

Bangkok "tuk tuk" taxi driver Samran Thammasa, 39, had never heard of K-pop star Jessica Jung before the coronavirus pandemic, but now the singer's Thai fans are helping him survive the loss of tourist customers. His bright green three-wheeled motorcycle rickshaw has been mostly vacant for more than a year. In the past few months, though, he's earned about 600 baht ($19) a month to feature K-pop ads on his vehicle.

K-pop fans come to the rescue for Thailand's hard-hit 'tuk tuk' drivers

After losing countless fares due to the pandemic, Thai taxi driver Sombat Subin is seeking to reassure nervous clients by letting them know in three languages that he has been vaccinated.

Taxi for hire - Bangkok cabbie aims to capitalise on COVID-19 vaccination

Thailand witnesses a surge in COVID cases.

Bangkok airport turned into a vaccination centre

Students in Bangkok, Thailand burn law books in support of anti-monarchy activists who have been jailed on charges of sedition and royal family insults.

Thailand: Students burn law books in support of jailed anti-monarchy activists

A court in Thailand has denied bail to three pro-democracy activists who have been charged with Lese Majeste Law. The three activists were accused of violating royal defamation laws following a rally in Bangkok last September.

Thailand: 3 pro-democracy protesters denied bail

Parked in rows with many gathering dust and cobwebs, hundreds of "tuk tuk" motorised rickshaws, tour buses and boats lie silent across the Thai capital Bangkok after suffering a twin blow from the pandemic and a lack of foreign tourists.

Graveyard of tuk tuks, buses and boats show dearth of tourists during once peak holiday season

Bangkok remains on every traveller's bucket list but the COVID-19 pandemic has quieted even the most bustling of cities. Even with the rollout of vaccine people in Bangkok are not really sure when things will return to normal.

COVID-19 impact: Bangkok's iconic tourist sited are empty

Bangkok's nightlife will go quiet as a ban on bars, nightclubs and restaurant alcohol sales goes into effect Saturday, among a raft of restrictions aimed at curbing the kingdom's rising coronavirus toll.

Thailand initially appeared to have escaped the worst of the virus, registering just under 4,000 total cases in November, despite being the second country to detect an infection in January.

But an outbreak last month at a massive seafood market has spiralled into a resurgence, with infections now detected in 53 of the kingdom's 73 provinces. By Saturday the caseload had jumped to over 7,300.&nbsp;

In Bangkok, where more than 2,600 active cases have been detected, city authorities acted swiftly and announced a partial lockdown to go into effect Saturday.&nbsp;

Bars and nightclubs, boxing stadiums, cockfighting rings and massage parlours -- as well as beauty salons and gyms -- will be among a slew of businesses affected.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/diving-santa-spreads-christmas-joy-at-bangkok-aquarium-352383">WATCH|</a>

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The capital also announced yesterday that public schools will be closed for two weeks, while more than a dozen virus checkpoints were set up Saturday across the city.

"We don't want to use extreme measures like a lockdown and putting up a curfew, but we need a stronger medicine to prevent the new surge," said Taweesin Visanuyothin, a spokesman for Thailand's Covid-19 taskforce.&nbsp;

Nationwide restrictions and closures are expected to go into effect from January 4 to February 1, he added, allowing a two-day "grace period" for business owners to prepare.

Authorities worried about inciting alarm nationwide had been reluctant to classify the new emergence of the virus as a "second wave".

But anger resounded across Thai social media Saturday on the renewed restrictions, with business owners expressing frustration with the partial lockdown.

"I comply with the measures strictly, yet I now need to close my business while there are many people scrambling on the skytrain everyday," wrote Aksika Chantarawinji, a spa owner, on the official Facebook page of Bangkok's governor.

Thailand's economy has been hit hard by the coronavirus, and is among the worst-affected in Southeast Asia due to its reliance on tourism and exports.

Bangkok's nightlife will go quiet as a ban on bars, nightclubs and restaurant alcohol sales goes into effect Saturday, among a raft of restrictions aimed at curbing the kingdom's rising coronavirus toll.

Bangkok's nightlife will go quiet as a ban on bars, nightclubs and restaurant alcohol sales goes into effect Saturday, among a raft of restrictions aimed at curbing the kingdom's rising coronavirus toll. Thailand initially appeared to have escaped the worst of the virus, registering just under 4,000 total cases in November, despite being the second country to detect an infection in January. But an outbreak last month at a massive seafood market has spiralled into a resurgence, with infections now detected in 53 of the kingdom's 73 provinces. By Saturday the caseload had jumped to over 7,300. In Bangkok, where more than 2,600 active cases have been detected, city authorities acted swiftly and announced a partial lockdown to go into effect Saturday. Bars and nightclubs, boxing stadiums, cockfighting rings and massage parlours -- as well as beauty salons and gyms -- will be among a slew of businesses affected. WATCH| × The capital also announced yesterday that public schools will be closed for two weeks, while more than a dozen virus checkpoints were set up Saturday across the city. "We don't want to use extreme measures like a lockdown and putting up a curfew, but we need a stronger medicine to prevent the new surge," said Taweesin Visanuyothin, a spokesman for Thailand's Covid-19 taskforce. Nationwide restrictions and closures are expected to go into effect from January 4 to February 1, he added, allowing a two-day "grace period" for business owners to prepare. Authorities worried about inciting alarm nationwide had been reluctant to classify the new emergence of the virus as a "second wave". But anger resounded across Thai social media Saturday on the renewed restrictions, with business owners expressing frustration with the partial lockdown. "I comply with the measures strictly, yet I now need to close my business while there are many people scrambling on the skytrain everyday," wrote Aksika Chantarawinji, a spa owner, on the official Facebook page of Bangkok's governor. Thailand's economy has been hit hard by the coronavirus, and is among the worst-affected in Southeast Asia due to its reliance on tourism and exports.

Bangkok imposes partial lockdown to combat virus

Visitors to an aquarium in Thailand on Thursday (December 24) received a Christmas surprise when Santa Claus descended into the water, carrying a sack full of food and surrounded by shoals of fish.

Diving Santa spreads Christmas joy at Bangkok aquarium

Lines of police deployed to ward off any possible move towards Chitralada Palace, the nearby residence of King Maha Vajiralongkorn.

Thai Anti-monarch protests Mark UN Human Rights day

Thai democracy activists rallied in Bangkok calling on king Maha Vajiralongkorn to cede control of a royal fortune. At least 7 thousand people take to the Bangkok streets, Yellow toy duck become the symbol of protest movement. Police summoned many of the best-known protest leaders charges of insulting the monarchy.

Thai protesters call on king to give up royal fortune

Prayuth has refused the protesters’ demand to resign and rejected their accusation that he engineered last year’s election to keep the power he seized in a 2014 coup.

Thailand: Frustration in students over lack of gender equality

41 people were injured including 5 with gun shot wounds in Thailand. The incident took place during violent clash between hundreds of royalists who demonstrated outside the parliament to protest against the new constitution and the police.

Thailand: 41 people left injured in violent Bangkok protests

Thailand which in currently undergoing political turmoil, demonstrations & rellies have become a daily feature for many months. On Sunday, many young protesters were out on the street yet again in Bangkok demanding change from the monarchy.

Political turmoil in Thailand continues, protesters want dialogue with the King

More than 1,000 members of Thailand’s LGBT community and anti-government protesters joined in a Pride Parade on Saturday to call for equal rights as well for the ousting of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and reforms to the monarchy.

A protest movement that emerged in July has drawn a wide range of interest groups to push for greater democracy and human rights in the Southeast Asian country.

Members of the LGBT community wearing colourful outfits marched in the capital Bangkok with youth and student protesters who tend to favour black clothes.

“We agree that real democracy for Thailand will be the start of equality for Thai people and for rights to be prioritised again,” said teacher Lalita Waisinittham, 26.

Protesters had initially demanded the removal of Prayuth, a former junta leader they accuse of engineering last year’s election to keep power, but demonstrations have also broken taboos by calling for curbs on King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s powers.

Prayuth says last year’s election was fair and has refused to step down. The Palace has made no official comment on the protests, but last weekend the king said “we love them all the same” when asked to comment on the protesters.

Another anti-government demonstration is due on Sunday.

More than 1,000 members of Thailand’s LGBT community and anti-government protesters joined in a Pride Parade on Saturday to call for equal rights as well for the ousting of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and reforms to the monarchy.

More than 1,000 members of Thailand’s LGBT community and anti-government protesters joined in a Pride Parade on Saturday to call for equal rights as well for the ousting of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and reforms to the monarchy. A protest movement that emerged in July has drawn a wide range of interest groups to push for greater democracy and human rights in the Southeast Asian country. Members of the LGBT community wearing colourful outfits marched in the capital Bangkok with youth and student protesters who tend to favour black clothes. “We agree that real democracy for Thailand will be the start of equality for Thai people and for rights to be prioritised again,” said teacher Lalita Waisinittham, 26. Protesters had initially demanded the removal of Prayuth, a former junta leader they accuse of engineering last year’s election to keep power, but demonstrations have also broken taboos by calling for curbs on King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s powers. Prayuth says last year’s election was fair and has refused to step down. The Palace has made no official comment on the protests, but last weekend the king said “we love them all the same” when asked to comment on the protesters. Another anti-government demonstration is due on Sunday.

Thai LGBT and anti-government protesters join in Pride Parade

Joining the wave of youth protesters marching down the streets of Bangkok, drag queen Aunchalee Pokinwuttipob is clad in her battle gear - a face full of makeup, a megaphone and one of her many elaborate outfits - with demands that are loud and clear.

Thai drag queen rides on protest wave to push for LGBT rights

'I'm willling to die for this': Thai drag queen rides on protest wave to push for LGBT rights

Thousands of yellow-shirted Thai royalists staged their biggest show of support for the monarchy so far on Sunday (November 1) in the face of months of protests that have called for royal reforms as well as the removal of the government.

Thousands of royalists put on show of force for Thai king

Thousands of people protested in the centre of Thailand's capital Bangkok on Sunday (October 25) in the first demonstration since Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha ignored their Saturday night deadline to resign.

Drag queens join protest demanding resignation of Thai PM

Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters gathered again in Thailand's capital Bangkok on Thursday in mass defiance of the government which had issued a decree banning demonstrations.

Thailand protest: 1000 protesters defy sweeping crackdown

Hundreds of protesters assembled in Bangkok's democracy monument on the anniversary of the 1973 uprising. The protesters are demanding new reforms. Watch report.

Thailand protests: 21 activists have been detained, Protesters demand reforms

Tens of thousands of people in Thailand on September 26 flocked to a government-organized job expo with more than a million jobs up for grabs as it works to stem mounting unemployment in an economy hit by the coronavirus pandemic.

Thousand flock to Job Expo in Bangkok: Government plans to offer millions of jobs

The largest pro-democracy protests in Thailand in years ended peacefully on Sunday with the handing over of a petition demanding reform of the monarchy in Bangkok.

Thailand protest ends with monarchy reform petition

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