An estimated 8.6 million people have been affected by the floods, which have submerged homes and damaged farms in 51 of Thailand's 76 provinces, according to government figures.

As the flooding entered a second month, authorities said the nationwide death toll had jumped to 203, while 30 provinces were still affected including 12 in the southern region of the country.

Thousands of soldiers were dispatched to the south last week to help people stranded in their homes in the major city of Hat Yai, home to more than 150,000 people and popular with tourists from Singapore and Malaysia.

Authorities warned Thursday that six other southern provinces could face mudslides and further flooding this week.

Bangkok has been on standby but has so far avoided major flooding.

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