A magnitude 5.5 earthquake centred in Laos shook buildings in neighbouring Thailand.

CCTV footage shows the building rocking when the tremors were felt in the Chaloem Phra Kiat district of Nan Province on December 20.

The quake also shook nine provinces in north and northeastern Thailand. Residents reported feeling the tremor and seeing houses and buildings shaking.

The United States Geological Survey said the earthquake struck 53 kilometres northwest of Sainyabuli in Laos at 9:06 pm UTC. The agency recorded it at a depth of 10 kilometres.

The earthquake was followed by a magnitude 3.5 aftershock after six minutes, and a magnitude 2.4 aftershock an hour and a half later, Thailand's meteorological department said.

In Nan province, cracks were found in some of the regions ancient temples. No damage to homes has so far been reported.