This is the dramatic moment a storm pulled down 20 power poles as it lashed eastern Thailand.

Powerful gusts battered Chonburi province, toppling electric poles along a narrow neighbourhood street on June 1.

Dashcam footage shows the structures collapsing as sparks erupted from electric cables. The street was temporarily closed after the poles fell onto trees and nearby homes.

Driver Natamon Kasemsook, the owner of ‘Elite Optic' eyeglasses store, said: 'This was scary. I could have been driving under the cables when that happened.

'I just wanted to go out to eat grilled pork, and I came close to a life-or-death moment.

'I was hesitating while waiting to cross the intersection, then a power line snapped. I couldn't back up. I was still deciding whether to go forward or what to do. Then as soon as I moved, the wire snapped again.'

The incident caused a widespread blackout as the Provincial Electricity Authority repaired the damaged poles overnight.

A resident said: 'At that time, I was taking shelter from the heavy rain to protect my phone. Suddenly, I heard a booming noise.

'At first, I thought the transformer had exploded but after a short while, there were continuous explosions as the poles went down. Luckily, there were no passing cars at the time so no one was hit.'

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.