A taxi burst into flames while it was boarding a river-crossing ferry in Thailand.

The pink Toyota cab was aboard a vessel crossing the Chao Phraya River in Samut Prakan province when a spark from its engine compartment ignited the vehicle on August 17.

The ferry turned back towards the shore, with motorcyclists hurriedly unloading their two-wheelers as the flames grew larger and engulfed the taxi.

Police Captain Thirasak Chaimanee of the Phra Pradaeng District Police Station said officers received a report of a vehicle fire at around 3 pm and dispatched firefighters to the scene.

The blaze was extinguished in 20 minutes with no one harmed. However, it caused severe damage to the taxi, which was taken to the Phra Pradaeng Police Station for investigations.

Ferry driver Sontaya Duangjui, 49, said he saw smoke, believed to be caused by an electrical issue, wafting from a car on the ferry.

He said: 'I tried to put out the fire with an extinguisher, but it grew too quickly, so I ordered the passengers to evacuate instead. It's the first time I've experienced a fire during my work.'

Taxi driver Payoong Nakchum, 58, said he noticed the car's air conditioning system malfunctioning earlier in the day and when he turned it off, a spark flickered from the engine compartment.

He added: 'I told the other drivers to move their vehicles first because I was scared the fire might spread before officials could arrive. I had only been driving the cab for three days before this incident.'

Authorities are now investigating the cause of the fire.