Tearful Yingluck calls for unity as Democrats want emergency to fight floods

Thailand’s Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra appealed for unity to tackle floods threatening Bangkok, as the opposition called on her to declare emergency rule.

Reuters

"Today I will frankly tell you the truth. I have left no stone unturned in this crisis but I cannot solve it alone. I need cooperation from all sides," Yingluck, speaking with tears in her eyes, told reporters. "Let's set aside politics. We must work to restore people's morale,"

The government has to decide whether to block floods caused by after three months of rain so as to protect Bangkok and its 12-million population or release more water upriver to help hard-hit central areas.

The opposition Democrats have called on the Yingluck to declare a state of emergency, as they did during political unrest last year. That would hand power to the military and allow forcible evacuation and bans on movement to certain areas.

Bangkok governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra, who is a Democrat, warned that seven
districts in north and east Bangkok were at risk of being flooded because of a broken dyke.

He advised residents to unplug electrical appliances, move belongings to higher ground and study the city's evacuation plan, saying they had 24 hours to prepare for possible flooding.