Flood warnings for Bangkok suburbs

Bangkok's residents have been urged by Thailand's prime minister to prepare to move to higher ground on Friday.

The warning was made as the country’s worst floods in 50 years began seeping in the capital’s suburbs.

Just a day before, the government had opened several key floodgates in a risky bid to let built-up water flow through the city's canals toward the sea.

The canals could overflow but officials did not known to what extent. Damage has so far been minor and the knee-high water had not affected Bangkok's main business district.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said the Prapa canal was a big concern as water rose to significant levels overnight.

"I would like to ask people in all districts of Bangkok to get ready to move their belongings to higher ground as a precaution,"Yingluck said, adding that people should "not to panic."

Thailand's government said at least 342 deaths, mostly drowning, occurred in Bangkok, as floodwaters crept across this Southeast Asian nation since July.