A restaurant owner used a wooden farming cart full of donated food as a community pantry for locals struggling with the coronavirus downturn.

The antique structure was stuffed full of mangoes, bananas, pineapples and watermelons for residents to collect in Songkhla, southern Thailand, on Monday (May 18).

One of the locals said that sharing is a good idea because so many people are now struggling to scrape together enough for their next meal.

He said: "I really appreciate every generous person who set up the pantry for sharing fruits. It's a nice way to help the needy."

The restaurant owner, who wanted to remain anonymous, said he wanted to help residents who are suffering financially due to the restrictions imposed to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Community pantries have popped up across Thailand to let the locals share food for the poor during the pandemic.