Devastating flooding has overwhelmed southern Thailand this week, particularly in Hat Yai district, near the border with Malaysia.

The "total deaths across the southern provinces is 145", with Songkhla accounting for 110, government spokesman Siripong Angkasakulkiat told a press conference, updating earlier figures.

Large areas were submerged, pushing residents to seek shelter on rooftops and a local hospital announcing its morgue was full.

Paradorn Prissananantakul, the director of the flood relief operations centre, said: "We will now move into the rehabilitation phase and work to restore cities to normal as quickly as possible."

More than 14,000 people have been evacuated from affected areas, the government said.