This is the terrifying moment a fast-moving dust devil sent residents fleeing as it whirled towards them in Thailand.

Video shows the weather phenomenon barreling across a field towards a house in Chaiyaphum province on March 19.

A man leaving his house quickly took shelter when the dust devil approached, before fading when it struck a metal walkway.

Dust devil tornadoes are types of whirlwinds that form when the sun heats a patch of land and the air above becomes warmer and rises quickly.

Cooler air then moves into the low-pressure gap left by the rising warm air. The new drafts of cooler air also heat up and rise and the cycle continues, picking up dust and debris and making the spiral visible.

They are not as dangerous as supercell tornadoes, which can cause severe damage.

China.