Tens of thousands of people have been ordered to evacuate the capital and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has changed its travel advice in response to the large volume of floodwater expected to hit the capital later this week.

Heavy rainfall across the country has killed more than 350 people and caused flash floods, mudslides and widespread disruption in Thailand's worst flooding in 50 years. 

A five-day holiday was announced in Bangkok and 20 provinces on Tuesday to give people the chance to escape the rising waters.

Although authorities are scrambling to pump out water from the Bangkok region, record-high water levels in the city's Chao Phraya river have raised the risk of floods in central Bangkok, especially if heavy rain returns when the tide is high.    

Don Muang Airport, Bangkok's second biggest, was forced to close yesterday until November 1 due to water in the surrounding area making it difficult for passengers and staff to access.

Bangkok governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra told residents of Don Muang and Bang Phlat districts, which are already partly submerged, to leave for their own safety. He said: 'This is the first time I am using the term 'evacuation', the first time I'm really asking you to leave.'

Airports of Thailand said the main Suvarnabhumi Airport was not affected because it was on higher ground. However, Thai Airways, which operates out of Suvarnabhumi, said it may reduce flights because of staffing concerns. 

Foreign Office Minister Jeremy Browne said: 'Our thoughts continue to be with the people of Thailand at this difficult time and in the face of unprecedented flooding. 'However, as prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra has now said that waters will reach the capital, we have updated our travel advice to reflect the worsening situation.' 

The FCO website states: 'We now advise against all but essential travel to the city of Bangkok and the 26 provinces in Thailand affected by flooding.  'Our advice against all but essential travel to the city of Bangkok does not include transit through Suvarnabhumi international airport.  

'Flights to destinations elsewhere in Thailand (eg the resorts of Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Phuket, and Koh Samui) continue to operate normally.'

A spokesperson from ABTA, The Travel Association, reiterated that transit flights through Suvarnabhumi international airport are not affected, nor are flights to Thailand's coastal resorts.

He added: 'Customers due to travel within the next few days should liaise with their airline or travel provider for the latest information.'

Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra told reporters: 'Now we're at a critical moment, we need to monitor the situation closely from 28-31 October, when many areas might be critical.

'Massive water is coming.'

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