Severe flooding in Thailand's central and northern provinces threatens to destroy ancient world heritage-listed temples, an official said Saturday.

The banks of the Chao Phraya river overflowed in Ayutthaya province, about 90 kilometers (56 miles) north of Bangkok, inundating at least 25 Buddhist temples, old forts and pagodas, he said.

"As of now, 25 important archaeological sites are under water and 13 more are at risk as flood waters keep rising," Anek Sihamat, regional director of fine arts, told AFP.

Ayutthaya province served as the Siamese royal capital from 1350 to 1767, and boasts many architectural treasures, including the much-photographed Buddha head wrapped in the roots of a banyan tree at Wat Phra Mahathat.

The entire province is listed as a World Heritage historical site by UNESCO, the United Nations cultural body, and contains some 500 palaces and Buddhist temples.

The famous ruins of Wat Chaipattanaram on the banks of the Chao Phraya are in danger of being washed away, prompting the authorities to build dykes and pump out water in a desperate struggle to save the ancient site.

"Just 50 centimeters (19 inches) more water and the dyke will burst," Anek said.

He said the fine arts department would carry out structural surveys of the affected temples as soon as flooding receded, and would immediately start renovation work, otherwise the temples could crumble away.

Six districts in Ayutthaya remain under 30 to 120 centimeters (12 to 47 inches) of water, and ancient temples in the nearby provinces of Singburi and Aung Thong are also threatened by flood waters.

Flooding in Thailand began late August following heavy rain from Typhoon Xangsane. So far, 48 people have been killed and thousands forced to flee their homes. Two people remain missing.

The disaster prevention department said Saturday that 17 provinces, mostly in central Thailand, including Bangkok, were still suffering from flooding. Water levels have receded in 29 provinces.

The flooding has caused about 305.3 million baht (8.1 million dollars) in damage, with more than 8,000 homes affected, according to government estimates.

In neighboring Myanmar, severe flooding continued, with 16 people killed so far, police said.

Hundreds of people are living in government emergency shelters with aid being supplied by the authorities and charities including the Red Cross.