BANGKOK, Oct 28- Thailand's historic Grand Palace on Friday was surrounded by floodwaters overflowing from the Chao Phraya River, while Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra said City Hall is closely monitoring the high tide which will peak on Saturday.

The governor inspected the water level in Chao Phraya River this morning which measured 2.47 metres above mean sea level. The water will rise again in the evening.

Mr Sukhumbhand said the peak high tide is expected on Saturday, but said he believes the floodwaters will not reach Government House.

It is reported that the Grand Palace and the Sanam Luang royal ceremonial ground, not far from the river, were experiencing 50 centimetre high water, but the flooding has no impact on visitors who still queue to enter the compound.

Following yesterday’s order for the immediate evacuation of Salathammasop sub-district of Taweewattana district, the Bangkok governor said Bang Khen district is also under close watch as floodwater from Don Mueang district was arriving in the area.

Meanwhile, riverside Siriraj Hospital reinforced an embankment around the hospital to a height of 3.5 metres above mean sea level to prevent overflowing water from the river, according to Teerawat Kulthanan, dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Siriraj Hospital.

If the situation worsens with higher water levels, the hospital will strengthen its dyke to the height of 4 metres above mean sea level.

In addition, to avoid a possible chaotic situation if the floodwater overflows into the compound of the country’s oldest hospital, inpatients housed on the ground floor have been transferred to higher floors, according to Dean Teerawat. (MCOT online news)