Soldiers helped residents as flash floods hit northern Thailand.

Footage shows troops helping villagers evacuate their belongings as the deluge swamped Chiang Mai on May 24.

The area had been battered by heavy rain, spawning floods that surged into homes and swept away cars and motorcycles.

By midday, responders shifted to clearing operations as the water began to recede, leaving the streets covered in mud. Sandbags were also placed at key points in flood-prone areas.

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation had issued a flash flood warning across 52 Thai provinces.

The severe weather was caused by a stronger southwest monsoon and a monsoon trough passing over northern Thailand and the upper part of southern Thailand.

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