Hospital staff hold the doors shut as tropical storm batters building in Thailand

This is the terrifying moment a tropical thunderstorm ripped through a hospital in northern Thailand.

This is the terrifying moment a tropical thunderstorm ripped through a hospital in northern Thailand.

On-duty doctors and nurses were shocked when strong winds and heavy rain began battering the building in Nakhon Ratchasima province.

They tried to secure the building by holding the doors shut but they were eventually flung open by the force of the store.

Windows were smashed as rain filled the entrance halls and several wards.

Many had to take cover in rooms where they held the doors shut.

Several trees blown down and a number of electricity poles also damaged.

Officials said the storm had also caused several accidents on surroundings roads and at least 20 people had been injured across the area.

The Meteorological Department has forecast that the area might face a tropical depression in the coming days.

The department's regional director Porameth Amatyakul said: "The whole area in the southern part of the northeastern region is likely to face strong wind and rain especially in Nakhon Ratchasima.

"The locals in the area should be prepared in case there is a big storm like this again." Thailand has seen topical storms sweeping the country over the last few weeks as it moves into the summer season with temperatures soaring past 40C every day.