Several national parks in Northern Thailand have been temporarily closed due to heavy rain and floods.

The Mae Ping National Park spanning the northern provinces of Chiang Mai, Lamphun, and Tak has been closed on September 30 as monsoon-amplified storms battered the region.

Kritsayam Kongsatree, the director of Protected Area Regional Office 16, said an intensifying low pressure area was dumping heavy rain, causing the Ko Luang Waterfall in Lamphun to swell.

The water spilled out of rivers and uprooted trees in nearby forests, prompting authorities to bar entry to the tourist spot until September 30.

The Mae Klang Waterfall in Chiang Mai's Doi Inthanon National Park had also been closed due to flash flood threats. Staff said they were monitoring the water level as rains continue to hammer the park.

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.

Bangkok and large parts of the north and northeast of the country have been swamped with flash floods from tropical thunderstorms.