Deadly floods swept through southern Thailand and killed 170 people while leaving widespread destruction.

Footage shows multiple cars and motorcycles piled on top of one another after being swept away in Hat Yai, Songkhla province, on November 27.

Several vehicles were overturned, with murky water still covering parts of the road as locals looked on in disbelief.

Songkhla province suffered the highest death toll, with 131 fatalities. Hat Yai district was among the worst-hit areas, recording a staggering 13 inches (335 mm) of rainfall in a single day on November 21.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul described the floods as 'the worst flooding in 15 years'.

Songkhla Governor Ratthasart Chidchoo on Monday declared all 16 districts disaster zones and ordered the immediate evacuation of children, the elderly, and the sick.

The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department said that floods hit nine southern provinces, affecting some 1,128,284 households and 3,221,958 people.

The Southern Eastern Meteorological Centre said a strong monsoon trough was causing the heavy rainfall, which was 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.