Persistent rain blocked flights at Phuket airport from 7am Sunday and caused flooding throughout this tourist island province.

About 10 inbound flights were diverted to Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports as well as airports in Krabi, Langkawi, Penang and Surat Thani because pilots could not see the runway, Phuket's airport director  said.

Four outbound domestic flights could not take off from Phuket airport during the same period because they were waiting for passengers on the delayed incoming flights.

Flights resumed at Phuket airport at 10.04am Sunday due to improved visibility, the director said. He added that the airport itself was not flooded.

Flooding happened throughout Phuket and deep floodwater was reported in the northern part of the island, Thalang district.

Weather forecasters said rains would lessen on Monday.