( CNN ) -- Thai authorities on Monday moved to ease fears that the devastating floods that have engulfed much of the country will swamp the capital . The country 's Flood Relief Operation Command ( FROC ) reported that flood defense measures in low-lying Bangkok have held and that the bloated Chao Praya River has not risen any further . There had been fears that further heavy rain over the weekend combined with the spring high tides would overwhelm parts of the city . `` The water situation in Bangkok city is no longer a worry and today is the end of the high tide period , '' FROC spokesperson Wim Rungwattanachinda told CNN . However , Irrigation department director general Chalit Damrongsak warned the situation remained critical as water from low-lying areas north of Bangkok still needed to drain . `` It is not over , '' he said , in quotes carried by Agence France-Presse . So far , 307 people have been killed during months of monsoon rains across Thailand , with more than 8.6 million in 61 provinces affected by the rising floodwater . Asia 's wet and wild summer explained . More than 500,000 square kilometers -- an area the size of Spain -- have been affected by the floods in Thailand , Cambodia , Vietnam and Laos , according to CNN meteorologist Jenny Harrison . In the ancient city of Ayutthara , one of the worst-hit areas , officials said the floodwater was starting to recede and flow towards the rivers . The temples and monuments in the UNESCO-listed historical city have been submerged for days , prompting concern that much of the water damage will be permanent . Meanwhile , a massive effort is underway to protect the Navanakorn Industrial Park to the north of Bangkok . The giant complex -- one of Thailand 's largest -- houses a number of companies that produce electronics and components for the automotive industry . According to the Bangkok Post , 600 workers , civilian volunteers and soldiers were working around the clock Sunday to strengthen defense walls on all sides of the facility as the water continued to rise . Other manufacturing sites north of Bangkok , such as Rojana Industrial Park , were forced to halt operations as the floodwater hit . Honda last week said the closure of its plant there affected the production of at least 4,500 cars . The Thai finance ministry says overall damage from the floods could be more than $ 2 billion , with the worst yet still possibly to come , '' according to CNN 's Paula Hancocks . Floods are an annual occurrence in the country but it has been particularly acute this year . Thais across the country are donating food , water and clothing to help the worst-hit areas . Authorities said donations have far surpassed previous years . The government said that it has received $ 2.07 million in donations , including help from other countries , by Sunday . The United States said it is sending 26 helicopters to help the relief effort , invaluable as more roads turn to rivers and become impassable . United Nations agencies also are on standby , while the World Health Organization has offered emergency health kits . CNN 's Kocha Olarn contributed to this report .
There were fears further heavy rain combined with high tides would overwhelm Thailand . 61 people have been killed during the weekend of monsoon rains across Thais . Authorities in the capital confident the capital has been spared as flood defenses hold . Thailand across country donating food , water and clothing to help the worst-hit areas .