Several hours of intense overnight downpour flooded many roads in the low-lying parts of Bangkok, causing severe traffic jams during the morning rush hour.

According to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), more than 30 roads in and around the affected areas in the city were flooded by knee-high water, making it impassable to small vehicles.

Workers complained of late arrival to office due to the severe traffic jams caused by the flooding.

The worst affected area in the city was low lying Lat Phrao, which forced four schools nearby to cancel their classes Tuesday, BMA said, adding that clogged monsoon drains also exacerbated the flood problems.

Lat Phrao and a section of Ratchadaphisek Road, among Bangkok's major arteries for road users, were closed in the morning as most of it were submerged by flood water.

Bangkok's governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra in his Facebook posting advised road users to avoid using several affected roads including Ratchadaphisek, Lat Phrao, Ngam Wong Wan, Phaon Yothin and Pracha Suk.

He also toured several flooded areas in the city.

The city of eight million inhabitants was forecasted to face daily rain and thunderstorms this week, according to the country's Meteorological Department.

Thailand suffered its worst flooding in 2011 during the yearly monsoon season, causing widespread damages to properties and economy as well as hundreds of death.

- Bernama