Thailand Grapples With Worst Flooding in 50 Years

An evacuee clutches a stuffed animal after arriving at the Thon Buri bridge Sunday evening. Her house was flooded for days when it rose suddenly to one meter two days ago, Bangkok, October 31, 2011. (VOA)

A resident evacuates flooded Bang Phlat, walking along the street near the boat and oarsman of the Royal Barge Museum's topiaries, Bangkok, October 31, 2011. (VOA)

Two evacuees at a bridge in Bang Phlat are unsure how much the water has risen over the weekend, and are returning to check on their personal possessions, Bangkok, October 31, 2011. (VOA)

Residents parked their cars on flyovers to keep them safe during a flood in a neighborhood in Bang Phlat, a district on the western shore of Bangkok's Chao Phraya river, October 31, 2011. (VOA)

Digger pulls sludge from Prapa canal to build up dike wall, Bangkok, October 31, 2011. (VOA)

Flooded bridge on west side of Prapa canal, just outside Bangkok border, October 31, 2011. (VOA)

Kids on makeshift raft in flooded Pathum Thani neighborhood north of Bangkok, October 31, 2011. (VOA)

Man on raft in front of flooded house, Pathum Thani just north of Bangkok, October 31, 2011. (VOA)

Man with baby watches Thai police and soldiers line up in front of disputed flood gate at Samwan canal, Bangkok, October 31, 2011. (VOA)

Protesters and onlookers watch Thai police and soldiers line up in front of disputed flood gate at Samwa canal, Bangkok, October 31, 2011. (VOA)

Some Thai protesters leave as police and soldiers form line near disputed Flood Gate at Samwa Canal Bangkok, October 31, 2011, (VOA)

Thai police and soldiers line up in front of protesters and onlookers at disputed flood gate at Samwa canal, Bangkok, October 31, 2011. (VOA)

Thai soldier steering boat through flooded Pathum Thani urban area just north of Bangkok, October 31, 2011. (VOA)

Thai Soldiers heading to inspect leaks on Bangkok's Prapa Canal, October 31, 2011. (VOA)

Thai military and volunteers work to repair a leak in a dike on the canal in On Nut, Bangkok. The flooding was a mere 300 meters away from Bangkok's main thoroughfare Sukhumvit, but has been contained, October 31, 2011. (VOA)