A cave full of thousands of wild bats is attracting Buddhist worshipers in Thailand.

The unique settlement of the nocturnal creatures is at the Wat Tam Thep Nimit temple, in Phayao, northern Thailand.

Abbot Phra Sriprai Khemapirato and other monks lead Buddhist devotees into the cave where the creatures hang down from the roof. They flap around while buzzing and squealing.

Followers of the religion can meditate and worship in the dark cave alongside a statue of a deity - staying perfectly still until the bats settle.

Abbot Phra Sriprai Khemapirato said: "The bat cave attracts Buddhist visitors to come and pray in the temple. They can practice dharma with peace here."

This wrinkle-lipped free-tailed bats in the cave eat insects, which differs from other kinds of bats that eat fruits. They emerge from of the cave in the evening to find food before returning still under the cover of darkness.