(CNN) -- Arriving in central Bangkok from the sparkling international airport, a visitor might not know at first glance that much of the city is under water.





Shops and restaurants are open as usual, while the futuristic sky train continues to ferry commuters to work in the numerous office complexes that make up the central business district.





But just a few miles northwards along the Vibhavadi Rangsit highway, the road gradually disappears into a sea of filthy brown water -- floodwater from the north of Thailand that shows little sign of disappearing quickly.





This is due in large part to a system of floodgates set up to protect the commercial center of the city and other key industrial areas by diverting the run-off to these parts.





For almost a month, residents in outlying areas such as Rangsit and Lumlukka have been living in water that is often chest-high. Many defied government evacuation orders to protect their property, even if it meant being stranded with limited food and no clean running water.





Read predictions that flooding would remain for weeks





Romeo Romei, a local businessman, lost his house and is battling to save his factory, but he still manages to take a boat out each day with his friend Alex Stamp and cousin Duccio Lucchesi to distribute water, food and clothes to those in need.





From his factory office in Rangsit, supplies donated by friends and family are sorted into rescue packs for men, women and children, while the factory workers man an array of water pumps -- some of them cannibalized swimming pool pumps -- around the clock, praying that the defensive wall they erected around the warehouse doesn't collapse. They are literally under siege from the water.





Yet Romeo is concerned about the 10 families around the corner who have been forced to set up camp on the upper floors of a dilapidated industrial building nearby.





Watch Romeo visiting families in a Rangsit warehouse





Riding in the fully-laden dinghy across what was once the factory's car park, he explains what spurred him into action. "For the first few days after the floods we went about our business dealing with the factory. But soon we couldn't bear to see people suffering."





He says the government is not helping these people, while aid agencies are nowhere to be seen around these flood-hit streets. "I saw one boat with around 10 packs of food, but there are thousands of people here," he said.





On Tuesday, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra laid out a three-point recovery plan, including immediate aid to those whose homes and businesses have been destroyed. Meanwhile, relief workers have been distributing aid to evacuation centers but face difficulties reaching residents who have decided to wait out the crisis in their homes.





As we unload the supplies of eggs, fruit, rice and medicine at our destination, the conditions the families are living in is humbling. On the ground floor, children play in the same stagnant water that dogs defecate in, while the adults gather in their damp makeshift sleeping areas with what little they could salvage from their homes.





However, the atmosphere is not depressing, especially since a year-old baby has taken his first steps in this unlikely setting. Romeo points out that Thais never complain and always have a smile on their faces.





He contends this is because there is no expectation that anyone will be there to help them.





Watch Romeo and friends boat down a road in Rangsit





As the boat pushes off to find more people to help, we're immediately surrounded by people. Some are asking if we have water, while others are looking for diapers. No one seems greedy or aggressive. They paddle around in anything that will float, from polystyrene blocks to an old refrigerator, while small children swim about in "life jackets" made from empty plastic bottles strung together and stuffed into pieces of clothing.





This, Alex says, is evidence of the Thai ability to improvise and adapt in adversity.





Impact Your World: See how you can help





An internet security consultant, Alex frequently has to field calls from clients on the boat. He says he even
Where did the floodwaters come from? What is the factory owner trying to do? Who does the factory owner want to help? Are the flood waters expected to disappear quickly? How long have the residents been living in water? What is the factory owner doing? Where did the flood happen? Will the floodwater disappear quickly? How long has it been flooded?
the north of Thailand distribute water, food and clothes to those in need. those in need. flooding would remain for weeks almost a month, take a boat out each day with his friend Alex Stamp and cousin Duccio Lucchesi to distribute water, food and clothes to those in need. Thailand shows little sign of disappearing For almost a month,
question: Where did the floodwaters come from?, answer: the north of Thailand | question: What is the factory owner trying to do?, answer: distribute water, food and clothes to those in need. | question: Who does the factory owner want to help?, answer: those in need. | question: Are the flood waters expected to disappear quickly?, answer: flooding would remain for weeks | question: How long have the residents been living in water?, answer: almost a month, | question: What is the factory owner doing?, answer: take a boat out each day with his friend Alex Stamp and cousin Duccio Lucchesi to distribute water, food and clothes to those in need. | question: Where did the flood happen?, answer: Thailand | question: Will the floodwater disappear quickly?, answer: shows little sign of disappearing | question: How long has it been flooded?, answer: For almost a month,