RISING WATER: Flooding along Bangkok's Chao Phraya River.  © Thor Jorgen Udvang

Stress levels and water levels are rising in Bangkok as the flooding the city thought it had dodged begins to impact more areas. On Monday flood waters reached Don Muang Airport (DMK), Bangkok's domestic airport, also home to the city's flood relief operation command.

Reports that hundreds of crocodiles have escaped from crocodile farms add to the tension for Bangkok residents as they wade through floodwaters in the low-lying city.

Heavier than usual monsoon rains and floods are estimated to have killed 356 people since July. Over 9 million people are affected. The floods crippled high-tech factories in industrial parks just north of Bangkok impacting supply chains for companies including Apple, Toshiba and numerous PC manufacturers.

Tourists returning from Bangkok on Monday told Global Traveller Asia that there was little evidence of flooding in the city centre beyond a few sandbags around some of the shops in the central area. However, the situation could change rapidly. Chatuchak district, known for its huge Weekend Market, was under threat late Monday.

Meanwhile, city and national government officials give conflicting accounts of the situation.

This week, Google set up a dedicated flood crisis response page consolidating information and details of Thailand's flood response centres, weather forecasts, relief efforts and the latest travel advisories from the United States, United Kingdom and Australian governments.

According to Bloomberg, China Southern Airlines may join China Eastern Airlines in scrapping orders for Boeing 787 aircraft after delivery of its first Dreamliner was delayed until July. The largest carrier in Asia by passenger numbers, last week China Southern became the first airline in China to operate Airbus A380s. China Southern has 10 Dreamliners on order. Last Monday, China Eastern Airlines cancelled its order for 24 Dreamliners in favour of 45 smaller Boeing 737s and narrow-body Airbus A330s.The carrier cited concerns about the weakening global economy and said it wanted to focus on meeting China's robust domestic demand.

From Nov. 1, Singapore Airlines' customers will have the option of flying to Addis Ababa (ADD), Ethiopia's capital city, from Dubai (DXB) through a codeshare with Ethiopian Airlines. SIA flies to Dubai 11 times a week. Ethiopian Airlines is currently working toward membership in the Star Alliance, which will enable Singapore Airlines' KrisFlyer members to accrue frequent-flyer miles when travelling on Ethiopian's flights. Tickets for the codeshare flights are available now.

Russia's Vladivostok Air has launched twice-weekly services between Vladivostok International Airport (VVO) and Singapore (SIN) via Hong Kong (HKG). Vladivostok Air is the first airline offering direct flights between Hong Kong and Vladivostok. In November, the carrier will start flying to Denpesar (DPS), Bali, and Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) from its base in Vladisvostok.

Cambodia's Raffles Hotel Le Royal, Phnom Penhand Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor in Siem Reap, are taking bookings for November, when they will reopen after major renovations. Opened in 1929 and 1932 respectively, these are the only luxury hotels in Cambodia that pre-date the civil war and the Khmer Rouge era.

From June 1, 2012, Lufthansa will offer the first non-stop service from Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS) to Tokyo (NRT). The new route will operate six times a week using Airbus A340-300s. Düsseldorf is the largest airport in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, and the third-largest airport in Germany, handling 18.9 million passengers in 2010. Lufthansa's Düsseldorf hub will offer passengers connecting flights to over 50 direct destinations in Germany and Europe. The Düsseldorf region has over 500 Japanese companies located in the region.

A self-drive holiday is one of the best ways to see New Zealand. National carrier Air New Zealand has promotional economy-class fares departing Hong Kong (HKG) starting from HKD 7,320 including tax. Valid for travel through June 30, 2012, passengers can choose to travel to Auckland (AKL), Christchurch (CHC) or Wellington (WLG). For more details and information on car rental packages visit Air New Zealand's special deals.

Delta Air Lines SkyMiles members can now earn 500 miles for each eligible stay at any participating Mandarin Oriental property around the world. To celebrate the launch of this new partnership, Delta and Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group are offering a special double miles benefit to SkyMiles members for each stay through Dec. 31.

Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts is offering an à la carte pillow menu that lets guests choose the pillow that is just right for them. Guests can select their personal favourite from a wide range of pillows. For example, the Swiss Pine pillow gives off a soothing scent of resin and reduces night-time perspiration around the head and neck, while the heat-regulating cotton-covered spelt pillow, filled with 1400g of organic spelt, eases tension in the back and neck. For allergy and asthma sufferers, there is also an anti-allergenic pillow.

Accor, the largest international hotel operator in Thailand, has opened the Mercure Koh Chang Hideaway on Koh Chang. Located 315km southwest of Bangkok, close to the Cambodian border, Koh Chang is the second-largest island in Thailand. Accor is the only international hotel chain on the island. The 96-room Mercure Koh Chang Hideaway has seven room types ranging from standard rooms to villas and suites plus its own private beach. To celebrate the opening, the Mercure Koh Chang Hideaway is offering superior beachfront rooms with breakfast from THB 4,500 (plus taxes) per night. The introductory rate is available from Nov. 1 through Dec. 23.

Fairmont is celebrating its long history of serving what it claims is the best afternoon tea in town. To honour the brand's connection to this cherished tradition, Fairmont has declared Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011, as their "official" day to pay tribute to all things tea. Tea Day celebrations at Fairmont hotels will be as diverse as the hotels hosting them. In tea-loving Asia, the Fairmont Beijing; Fairmont Peace Hotel, Shanghai; Fairmont Yangcheng Lake in Kunshan; and Fairmont Singapore will all be celebrating Tea Day with special promotions. For full details of tea day's events, tea fun facts, recipes and more, visit Get Steeped.