This is the terrifying moment a destructive tornado ripped through homes in southern Thailand.

Footage shows the twister tearing across the horizon next to a river in Songkhla province on Monday afternoon.

The stonking vortex whipped metal roof sheets and wooden panels into the air before dissipating around an hour later.

Sunan, chief of a local public service unit, said one villager was rushed to Ranot Hospital after being struck in the head by debris.

He added: 'The latest update reveals that 10 houses suffered damage, with roofs blown off, tiles broken, and walls collapsed. After the storm subsided, rescue teams from the Ban Khao Subdistrict Administrative Organization (SAO) responded to the injured.'

Residents said the area had been battered by heavy rain shortly before the tornado formed.

Affected locals were staying at the Wat Makham Tao temple as local authorities surveyed the extent of the damage.

Southern Thailand has been grappling with floods as torrential downpours lashed the region.

The Southern Eastern Meteorological Centre said a strong monsoon trough was causing the heavy rainfall and storms, which were expected to ease this week.

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.