Locals were amazed after more than 10,000 migrating hermit crabs washed up on a beach in Thailand.

Footage shows the tiny shelled-creatures crawling on the sand on Koh Lanta beach in Krabi province on November 4.

Excited villagers watched from afar as the hermit crabs, called "U-mang" in the local language, emerged from the waves and scurried along the shore.

The creatures carried their shells with various shapes and colours in a great migration to mate as the rainy season is about to end in the country.

Mu Koh Lanta National Park Director Veerasak Srisatjang said the crabs arrive at the island every year.

He said: "Seeing U-mang crabs migrating on the beach means the marine animals still find our environment a suitable place to live. The hermit crabs that visited this year are estimated to be more than 10,000."

However, the director was worried that the numbers will decline in the future as tourists are reported to keep the shells as souvenirs after visiting the island, discouraging the activity.

The hermit crabs come to the island to mate and then look for bigger shells to transfer their exoskeletons.

When the shells available are limited, they can occupy empty plastic bottles, baskets, and bags as little homes.