Locals fired homemade rockets into the sky to pray for rain - moments before the heavens opened.

Devotees sent the 8ft-long projectiles into the clouds to pay homage to the rain gods during the Rocket Festival in Yasothon, northern Thailand, on May 17.

They believe the DIY space creations - that even Tesla and Space X chief Elon Musk would be impressed with - can penetrate the clouds and trigger rainfall for crops.

Coincidentally, the rain started pouring a few moments after the DIY rocket was launched as the event was held on a stormy day.

Visitors Marutcherd Choo said: ‘It actually rained after the rocket went up the sky, so it was like the Gods noticed our message due to the bright rockets.’

The rocket festival, which was also celebrated in other Thai provinces, began as a Buddhist ceremony where it was customary to light up a dead monk’s cremation fire using a rocket.

As locals put more effort into their homemade rockets, the tradition evolved into a festival, and later into a competition for enthusiasts to show off their creations that they have worked on for several months.

Devotees believe that firing the rockets into the sky is a way to pay homage to the rain god Phaya Thaen. They believe the rockets will penetrate the clouds to welcome in the annual rainy season.

Thailand's rocket festival is held during the second weekend of May every year.

Council chief Chaiyawat Lertsana said this year's event was the first time in two years it had been held due to a break because of the Covid-19 pandemic.