Parts of flood-hit Lat Krabang district in Bangkok will be designated disaster areas to allow quick provision of emergency relief, City Hall announced on Thursday.

Bangkok deputy governor Tavida Kamolvej said six areas in Lat Krabang will be declared disaster zones no later than Friday. These areas were suffering the most from heavy rain and flooding.

Ms Tavida said residents of Bangkok should not be panicked by the announcement, to be made by Governor Chadchart Sittipunt. Its goal was to make them eligible for financial and other assistance.

At least 20,000 residents and 1,322 rai of farmland in the six sub-districts have been damaged by flooding following the heavy and continuous rain in the capital. Worst-hit were eastern and northern districts, including Lat Krabang.

Lat Krabang district had suffered most from the heavy rain. Work crews were draining floodwater into canals which flow into the Chao Phraya or Bang Pakong rivers.

The Meteorological Department said there is at  least a 60% chance of rain in the city until next Wednesday.