Justice Minister Pracha Promnok, director of the Flood Relief Operations Command (Froc), on November 11 issued the apology in parliament, pledging to drain floodwaters as soon as possible.

The Froc director attributed the flooding to three major storms that directly hit Thailand and brought with them large amounts of rainwater.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra also thanked opposition and Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva in parliament for his show of moral support in saying it was not necessary for her to step down in the wake of the disaster, as is being demanded by some.

While efforts to keep central Bangkok dry seemed to have been successful, with a decline of flood water on major roads, the situation elsewhere remains dire. Floods levels continued to rise or to affect new areas in the eastern and western parts of Bangkok.

The flood in Thailand has killed 533 people and affected 1.31 million nationwide.