Residents of Bangkok have been warily watching the floods in the old capital of Sukhothai this week, fearful that the washout there may be a sign of things to come.
Last year’s massive floods swamped many parts of Bangkok and caused severe disruption to Thailand’s economy, including tourism.
"Flooding may hit some areas this year but definitely not on the scale seen in 2011," an official told a government committee charged with containing the flood threat.
Science Minister Plodprasob Surassawadee said the Office of National Water and Flood Management Policy would identify flood-risk zones. "From now on, we must be able to predict floods and prepare resources for prevention and relief operations."
In 2011, the country suffered its worst flood in decades, with more than 800 people killed, seven industrial estates swamped along with homes of millions in Bangkok and elsewhere.
