One person was killed as landslides and flash floods struck border villages in northern Thailand.

Monsoon storms dumped heavy rain in Mae Hong Son province for three days, triggering water surges that impacted residential areas on August 3.

A resident Narin Rotprathumsorn, 40, was reported missing, but later found dead when he was swept away by the deluge some 600 metres away from Ban Mae To La village. His relatives were preparing arrangements for his funeral.

Pongpipat Meebenjamas, chairman of the Mae Sam Lab Subdistrict Administrative Organisation, said Ban Mae To La village was among the most heavily hit by the storm, with more than 100 locals fleeing to higher ground as of August 1.

Village officials said disaster response was difficult since roads and bridges leading out of the community had been submerged by the floods, while landslides also blocked the other routes. Phone reception was also weak as the village was in a remote area, they said.

Once the roads had been cleared, Akraphan Poonsiri, Sop Moei district chief, inspected Ban Mae To La village and found 11 homes and seven barns damaged.

Meanwhile, a bridge in neighbouring Ban Si Wa De village was also destroyed in the flood. Landslides also blocked roads in the Mae Suad sub-district and Ban Mae Suad Mai village.

Akraphan said that the officials were still surveying the damage in the Mae Suad and Mae Sam Lab sub-districts, adding they will discuss compensation guidelines for the stricken residents.

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