One-third of Thailand 'disaster' area: Government

Country's worst flooding in decades has affected 26 of 77 provinces

BANGKOK - Thailand on Wednesday declared a third of its provinces to be disaster zones, as auto giant Toyota called a halt to work after production was affected by the country's worst flooding in decades.

The government's move aims to speed up relief operations, as the floods have left at least 281 people dead and damaged millions of homes and livelihoods in more than two months.