BANGKOK, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's Meteorological Department on Tuesday issued a warning for people in the North, Northeast, East and the South to prepare for widespread scattered rain with heavy falls in some areas, the danger of floods and forest-runoff today and over the next few days, Bangkok Post online reported.

The department said storm "Vicente" is expected to arrive in the upper parts of Vietnam on Wednesday. This will cause widespread scattered rain in the mentioned Thailand's four regions.

People living near hillsides and waterways should prepare for heavy rain, possible flash floods and forest-runoff from Tuesday to July 27 and from tomorrow to July 27.

Due to the prevailing southwest monsoon over the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, there will also be strong wind-generated 2 to 3-metre-high waves in the Andaman Sea.

All shipping should proceed with caution and small boats should keep ashore today and the next few days, the department said.