A massive tornado ripped through a village and damaged homes in central Thailand.

The violent swirling column of wind extending to dark clouds above formed over a village during a storm in Chachoengsao province on July 26.

It then tore off roofs from dozens of houses and damaged structures on its path while thunder and lightning rumbled at its core.

No one was reported seriously hurt as residents fled from their homes when the weather phenomenon passed through the village for a little more than a minute before it dissipated.

Terrified resident Somsak Kankaew, 64 said: ‘I was watching the television when the tornado struck my house. I panicked and went outside with my family but it was too fast.

'It took away the house roof and my wife was also injured with a few scratches after the wind carried our closet and dropped it on her.'

The tornado brought heavy downpour and strong winds after it disappeared which lasted the whole day.

Local officials then went to the area to help residents affected by the weather phenomenon before assessing the extent of the damage.

A tornado is a powerful rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm to the ground. The most violent tornadoes are capable of tremendous destruction with wind speeds of up to 300 mph.