Initially, it was forecast that the pressure ridge was going to head southward. "If it is going southward at its normal speed of 100 kilometres per hour, it should have already reached Songkhla. But from our observations, it's not that way," said Anond Snidvongs, director of the Southeast Asia START (System for Analysis Research and Training) regional office.

He pointed out that a cold air mass from China was currently colliding with the pressure ridge.

"If the pressure ridge can't push ahead and move southward, it is going to return to Bangkok and that may happen during the high-tide period," Anond said.

Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department director-general Anucha Mokkhavesa said relevant officials were closely monitoring the situation in Bangkok's Lat Krabang, Nong Chok, Lat Phrao, Min Buri, Khan Na Yow and Prawet districts. "If there are heavy downpours, floods may hit these districts," he said.

However, Anucha expressed hope that Bangkok would be able to escape severe flooding this year.

He said that thanks to His Majesty the King granting permission to allow water to be diverted to his properties in Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani and Saraburi, alongside similar permission by many local people in these provinces, the capital could be saved. "If severe flooding hits Bangkok, economic losses could be up to Bt1 billion," Anucha said.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has meanwhile asked the Royal Irrigation Department to release more water from the lower Hok Wa Canal in a bid to prevent severe flooding in the capital. The canal in Nong Chok district is holding run-off water from the North and is overflowing.

Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosa-yodhin said: " . . . we are going to pass on Bt5 million in cash donations to the Rajaprajanugroh Foundation, which is under royal patronage."