Customers and workers fled as a flash flood from ocean tides surged into a restaurant in Thailand.

Footage shows strong waves sweeping through tables and chairs, knocking furniture over on a beachside establishment following storms in Phang Nga province, Thailand, on October 16.

The diners ran away to avoid the water while an employee was seen climbing to the ceiling and clinging to the pole so the deluge would not reach him.

One of the customers, Arisa Singhee, said: 'We went to the beach area to help clean up and stayed there to eat dinner.

'We were trying to keep cool when the water swept through but were scared.'

Thailand and neighbouring countries in Southeast Asia are at the start of their annual monsoon rainy season, which sees soaring temperatures followed by powerful rain storms. The rudimentary infrastructure often struggles with the deluge, leading to widespread flash floods.