A large tree fell on homes and a roadside shop following a storm in southern Thailand.

The 60-year-old banyan tree was uprooted by powerful winds that battered Trat province on June 4.

Footage shows firefighters and municipality engineers cutting and clearing the thick branches that plummeted onto nearby houses.

Watchara Aphibansri, chief of the local firefighter unit, said: 'Trat Municipality has sent personnel to trim the branches of this giant banyan tree. It's expected to take two days because of the size and number of branches. We had to bring in cranes and chainsaws and multiple teams to move faster.

'Those affected have been asked to bring photos and details of the damage to the municipality to file for assistance. There was no damage to government property.'

Resident Yuwadee Chuphonkang, 43, added: 'Around midnight on June 3, a strong wind and rainstorm hit. I was asleep when I heard a loud snap before the tree came crashing down onto my home. I had to crawl my way out. In the past, there were tree branches that damaged my roof, but they were nothing like this.'

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.