Heavy rains triggered flash floods that swamped roads and homes in eastern Thailand.

The torrential monsoon downpour wreaked havoc as it lashed several districts in Trat province on June 22.

Officials said the Tha Som Canal burst its banks and spilled onto roadways, rising up to 32 inches in some areas. Small vehicles were unable to pass as emergency responders worked to assess the damage.

The floods also surged into homes and shops, severely damaging properties and appliances.

Shop owner Maliwan Manutsanit, 58, said: ‘It had been raining heavily since last night and it began to flood this morning. It reached knee height and even entered the bedroom. The refrigerator we use to store products was damaged. This area floods like this every year, but I'm worried it could get worse if the rain doesn't stop today.'

Seha Tet, 22, a Cambodian worker living beside the Tha Som canal, said: ‘My boss told me to prepare to pack my things and move to the accommodation upstairs. I am now preparing to pack, but I need to check the situation first because, from what I can see, the water level has started to decrease somewhat.'

The Mu Ko Chang National Park also temporarily closed the Than Mayom and Khlong Phlu waterfalls due to rising water levels.

The accumulated rainfall on Koh Chang reached 204.5 millimetres (eight inches), creating a high risk at the popular tourist destinations.

National park staff warned visitors to avoid travelling near the waterfalls amid the heavy rain.

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