This is the dramatic moment part of a Buddhist temple collapsed during heavy rain and severe floods in southern Thailand today.

The structure was being used as accommodation for monks at the Wat Pa Rien religious centre in Nakhon Si Thammarat.

But the foundations were weakened by continual heavy rain that sparked raging flash floods across the region.

Footage shows the building collapsing and plunging into a ravine on December 16. The residents had fled moments earlier when the structure began moving. None of them were hurt.

It came during severe floods in the region. The nearby islands of Koh Tao, Koh Phangan and Koh Samui were also affected by the torrential weather.

The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) warned that a low-pressure system, moving from the lower South and Malaysia towards the Andaman Sea from December 13 to 15, would bring additional rain, with isolated heavy showers.

Strong winds are expected to raise Gulf waves to 6.6ft to 9.8ft (2m to 3m), with waves exceeding 9.8ft (3m) during thundershowers.

Residents in the south are advised to be cautious of flash floods, especially near waterways, foothills, and low-lying areas.

The annual monsoon rainy season typically affects the south of Thailand later in the year than central regions such as Bangkok and the north of the country.