Wiset Chai Chan district chief Oanya Nganlert said the Noi River had burst flood barriers at 1am Saturday, leaving the 111year-old market under one metre of water.

It is a second blow to residents, who were recovering from losses from a large fire on December 26 last year.

Public Health Ministry spokesman Supan Srithamma said as many as 20,000 flood-affected people were receiving medial care each day.

Since late August almost 428,000 have fallen ill with waterborne diseases, more than half with hand, foot and mouth disease.

Health permanent secretary Dr Prat Boonyawongvirot will Sunday visit Angthong and Sing Buri to assess the situation and plan assistance.

Angthong Hospital director Niran Chantrakul said 40 per cent of 240 chronically ill patients registered with the hospital had missed doctors' appointments because they were unable to leave their homes and the hospital was sending out doctors by boat.

Saturday three people were reported drowned in Prachin Buri, Sing Buri and Chai Nat provinces.

Meanwhile, flood-relief efforts continue.

Donations made at Bangkok's Wat Bovorniwet at the invitation of the Supreme Patriarch have reached Bt1 million.

Relief items will be dispatched next week to temples and residents in Angthong and Ayutthaya.Metropolitan Police chief Lt-General Wiroj Chantarangsi has sent 30 lorries with flood assistance to Pathum Thani while another 20¢vehicle¢strong convoy is on its way to Ayutthaya.

In Bangkok 230 five-member rapid-response police teams, as well as traffic-police units and police boats, are standing by in case of flooding during annual high tides from October 2325.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Saturday day met to discuss preparations for 19 flood-prone districts.

Royal Irrigation Department director-general Samart Chokanapitak said expected high tides should not raise Chao Phaya River levels beyond 2.3 metres.

Flood waters from the North and rains have receded, and the city's flood barriers should cope, he said.

He encouraged riverbank residents to move belongings to higher ground.

Water from flooded east Bangkok will be drained into the inner city.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department warned Southern Thailand, especially Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat, of heavy rainfall and possible floods.

The forecast for the North and Northeast is for cooler temperatures. Rain in East Thailand and Bangkok will ease.

Braced for flooding, Deputy Interior Minister Banyat Jansena Saturday attended a meeting in Hat Yai of flood-prevention and disaster-mitigation officials from 14 Southern provinces.

The Nation