Most of Thailand, including Bangkok, will be hit by powerful tropical storms this week, as the Songkran festivities wind down.
Heavy rain and hail are expected Monday to Wednesday, the Meteorological Department warned, after hail struck houses in two Surin villages on Saturday, almost killing a man as his home collapsed.
Downpours also hit Ubon Ratchathani's Warin Chamrap district, causing a flash flood near a hypermarket on Sunday morning, according to a media report.
Surin and Ubon Ratchathani are among 35 provinces in the northern, northeastern and eastern regions which will face freak weather on Monday, according to the Meteorological Department.
Bangkok and other provinces will be affected on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The tropical storms are the result of a clash between Thailand's scorching hot weather and a high-pressure system driven by cold winds from China.
These winds hit Vietnam and Laos before reaching northeastern parts of Thailand on Sunday.
Two villages in Surin's Chumphon Buri district bore the brunt over the weekend, with at least 10 houses and a temple seriously damaged.
Roofs were blown away and reportedly littered the neighbourhood, while large trees were felled.
Residents said Saturday's hail storm was the worst they had experienced in 100 years.
According to village headman Chai Chiwachon, local man Nueang Bunman took shelter in his house, but its pillars fell down on him. Fortunately, the 50-year-old survived, sustaining only minor injuries.
