A tropical storm ripped roofs from houses as it battered southern Thailand.

Resident Rathakorn Nukong filmed the powerful gusts tearing iron sheets off the roof of a home in Nakhon Si Thammarat province on June 14.

The Thai Meteorological Department said the southwest monsoon was prevailing across the Andaman Sea, bringing thunderstorms across the southern region and the Gulf of Thailand.

The agency warned locals against scattered thundershowers and isolated heavy rains in southern provinces, including Nakhon Si Thammarat.

Thailand and neighbouring countries in Southeast Asia are approaching their annual monsoon rainy season which sees soaring temperatures followed by powerful rain storms in the afternoon leading to widespread flash floods.