Thai locals walked on burning coal and bathed in boiling oil to celebrate the Chinese New Year.

The religious followers deep fried hundreds of herbs - a total of 108 including a pack of neem leaves - on coconut oil which they sprayed on themselves using a leafy tree branch in Kamphaeng Phet province, Thailand on January 15.

After that, a 10ft-long coal path was lit up using the same oil which they had to walk on, believing that it would help them ditch bad fortune.

The bizarre event was held a week before the Lunar New Year.

One of the participants Jamnong Kambanleu, 54, said: ‘Disciples gather every year in January in the New Year as they believed in Chao Por Phawo.

‘The ritual was held for 40 years. All participating disciples must eat vegetarian food for nine days to join the rituals.

‘Everyone who believes has not been harmed by the rituals. It might be hot but everyone did it as they believed the rituals will get rid of bad things in their lives.'

Another follower Peerasak Kutaisong, 65, said: ‘At first, everyone was all sad and got a lot of debt. Everyone with sadness must seek a holy thing as a spiritual anchor.

‘After three years of eating vegetarian food, things were getting better while every problem could be solved.

‘Believers must also have faith. If they come to win a lottery or with greed, they will not be successful. I have been a disciple of Chao Por Phawo for more than 30 years.'

Participants must eat vegetarian food for nine consecutive days to join this festival. More than 50 lined up and walked on the burning path three times each.

The 2023 Chinese New Year will fall on January 22 and it is the Year of the Rabbit.

Thai capital Bangkok was developed by settlers from China in the 19th century and many of the descendants of the original families still live in the city.