A backhoe was stuck in a river after floods hit southern Thailand.

The heavy equipment was seen submerged in the swollen river after heavy rain battered Prachuap Kiri Khan province last week.

The backhoe, along with four others, reportedly belonged to a private company that was hired by the Department of Irrigation to dredge the Bang Saphan canal. However, torrential downpours starting on February 18 caused the water level to rise and sweep it away.

Floodwaters carried the backhoe some 300 metres from the dredging site, towards an 80-metre-long floodgate where it was stuck while the driver waited for the water to subside.

Authorities said the flood should not greatly affect residents as Irrigation officers are now draining the excess water into the sea.