Thai locals are planting sunflowers in drought-hit areas of a reservoir to try and attract tourists when the pandemic subsides.

Residents in Phayao, northern Thailand, have been suffering from the dry conditions which have reduced their source of agriculture water .

The village chief persuaded the villagers to plant sunflowers to make the area look more fertile.

Footage shows a small area of the arid dam now covered with sunflowers.

The village chief Intrchan Oilee said the area has been suffering from long-term drought and the locals should do something to take care of it.

He said: "The drought caused the water in the reservoir to dry out and left the area looking dead and infertile.

"I decided to persuade the people to help me plant sunflowers on the dry land to improve its look which I think could boost our economy after the pandemic by drawing in more tourists."