A group of Thai ladyboy cabaret singers have started a spicy salad restaurant to earn money while their club is closed to the coronavirus pandemic.

The transgender trio of showgirls had entertained tourists with nightly displays in glamorous dresses before Covid-19 struck.

However, with bars shut and tourism banned since March, they have been unemployed in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand.

Footage from Wednesday (July 1) shows the colourful scene at their pop-up restaurant, where they serve food in their makeup and glittery showgirl costumes.

One of the group, Manfah Sukprakob, 26, said they were tired of waiting for their night club to reopen so they made a restaurant instead.

She said: "The night club will reopen soon but even then we will have to follow more rules than before the pandemic, which we believe will scare away customers.

"Our main customers are foreign tourists and they will be unable to come any time soon so we decided to open this restaurant, which we think is more secure."