This is the terrifying moment a falling billboard nearly crushed a car during a storm in Thailand.

CCTV footage shows the large metal frame toppling over in front of a restaurant amid heavy rain in Pathum Thani province on July 29.

It collapsed just inches from a sedan as the quick-thinking driver reversed the car out of the way just in time to avoid the impact.

Restaurant owner Kanoklak Nonglord, 32, said: 'At around 5 pm, it started raining and there was a strong wind. We couldn't move the tables and chairs outside because of the weather.

'At that moment, there was a family of three parking in front of the shop. Then the storm blew the large advertising sign down, almost crushing the sedan while the people was still inside.

'The customers looked so shocked after they got out of the car.'

Local media reported that the billboard owner was already aware of the incident.

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.