theatlantic:

Thailand’s Disastrous, Slow-Moving Flood

The massive body of water now surrounding Bangkok is continuing its slow, destructive trip toward the ocean. The flood is the result of the heavy monsoon rains that drenched Southeast Asia four months ago, leaving Thailand and neighboring countries submerged and claiming more than 1,000 lives across the region. The waters that inundated Ayutthaya to the north of Bangkok have largely receded, but suburbs to the south and west remain under threat, with evacuation notices still being issued. Central Bangkok appears to have been spared the worst of the flooding, due in part to a protective wall of sandbags some 6 km (3.7 mi) long. Throughout the surrounding area, many thousands remain in evacuation centers, or with friends and family, waiting for the worst flooding in decades to recede. Collected here are images from Thailand over the past two weeks. ( Also see previous Thailand flood entries here: 1, 2, 3. ) 

Above: A Buddha head in the roots of a Bodhi tree is partially submerged by floodwaters in the ruins of Wat Mahathat temple in Thailand’s ancient capital Ayutthaya, on November 6, 2011. The floods in Thailand began in July and have devastated large parts of the central Chao Phraya river basin, killed more than 500 people and have disrupted the lives of more than two million. (Reuters/Adrees Latif)

See more incredible photos at In Focus