A powerful hailstorm blew over a woman in a street in northern Thailand.

Footage shows violent gales, accompanied by heavy rain and ice pellets, lashing the Mae Suai district of Chiang Rai on April 15.

A pedestrian caught in the whirlwind was knocked to the ground as a tent and debris were swept away by the storm.

Onlooker Panarit Khlaipeng said: 'The storm started at around 4 pm. It all happened so fast. The woman was taking shelter under the red tent, but it was blown away by the strong wind. After that, she was also blown over.'

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

The Thai Meteorological Department reported that high temperatures in northern Thailand were due to a low-pressure system. Southwesterly winds across the northern region were also causing thunderstorms, strong winds, and hailstorms, thunderstorms and strong winds.