This is the terrifying moment an entire road collapsed into a gruesome water-filled sinkhole.

CCTV footage shows a wide crack forming on the tarmac in front of the Pa-bong Cafe in Chiang Rai province, northern Thailand, on May 23.

Dirty water gushed through the opening while the ground sank, swallowing a large chunk of concrete, while a nearby car backed away to keep from falling into the hole.

Shocked cafe owner Rattana Noimor and several waitresses watched as the tarmac gave way and water oozed out.

She said: 'I was worried the whole road would be swallowed up.'

Local authorities have closed the road for safety as they prepare for repairs.

Officers said the collapse was caused by damaged pipe that sprung a leak and weakened the road section.

A road sinkhole is a hole that forms in a road surface, often due to water seeping into the ground, soil erosion, construction work or natural causes.