NEWS COPY - WITH VIDEO AND PICTURES

Three people were killed this morning (Wed) after a helicopter crashed in a paddy field in Thailand during heavy rain.

The aircraft plunged to the ground and burst into flames in the Wang Saeng District, Khon Kaen Province at around 9.30am.

Mangled bodies of the three victims, including the captain, were scattered several metres around the wreckage.

Footage from the scene shows a heavy downpour and thick clouds overhead while police said there was ''poor visibility'' at the time of the crash.
The chopper had set off from neighbouring Saraburi province but is believed to have experienced difficulties amidst poor visibility, heavy monsoon season rain and cloudy conditions.

Footage taken by locals who gathered round the wreckage showed smoke billowing into the air and flames still burning.

Records show the Eurocopter AS355NP - the helicopter manufacturing division of Airbus - was owned by the Heliluck Aviation Co. It had the registration HS-PNG.

Lt. Col. Keeratikorn Amornpatpakhin said: ''Police received the radio report that three people were dead in a helicopter crash.

''We believe that visibility was not good at the time of the crash. At the scene there was a wreckage and small fire. Officers mobilized fire extinguishers to extract and control fire.

''The helicopter is reported to have left the airport training centre Saraburi then lost contact in the area of ​​Khon Kaen province. Airport authorities will start an investigation.''