Locals performed a mesmerising fire dance to promote tourism in the terrorism-ravaged south of Thailand.

Footage shows a group of young villagers tossing around burning batons and playing with fire embers on March 18 in Yala province close to the border with Malaysia. Most foreign embassies advise against travelling to the region.

The performing group's leader Hamdy Deure said he used to work in a hotel as a fire dancer but lost his job when the pandemic started so he returned to his hometown and trained youngsters.

He said: 'I used to work as a fire dancer in a hotel in Krabi province but I lost my job because of Covid-19. I trained young people in my village instead and established a performing group.'

His group now employed five young lads performing fire tricks and dance in different events across the province.

Local tourism officer Adnan Moon said: 'Compared to other areas, our community is not as popular among tourists but because of our talented locals, more people are starting to notice our beautiful home.'

The southernmost provinces of Thailand - Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat - were incorporated into the country following a deal between then Siam and the British Empire in 1909.

However, the region is made up primarily of Malay Muslims with a culture dramatically different to Buddhist Thais. In the 1960s armed separatist groups emerged fighting for independence.

The struggle has continued ever since with 7,294 people killed between January 2004 and October 2021. There were an average of 38.8 incidents and 36.7 casualties a month in 2021, according to data from Deep South Watch.

The British Foreign & Commonwealth Office warns against all but essential travel to the region while Canada's government warns its nationals to 'avoid all travel' there.