Three oarsmen are missing after their boat capsized during a longboat race in Thailand.

The participants were rowing along the Chi River in Maha Sarakham province on October 9 afternoon when they hit the Tha Tum Lam Chi bridge as they were nearing the finish line.

As they raced towards victory, fast-flowing currents smashed their vessel into a bridge pier, throwing dozens of people overboard.

Rescuers rushed to fish the oarsmen out of the water, but three of the team had disappeared under the surface. They were identified as Anupong Tuymon, Bandit Roho, and Sunan Pichailuek.

Tha Tum police chief Police Major Wisit Narawang said: 'The boat hit the pillar after passing the finish line and the contestants were celebrating their win. At that moment, the Chi River's strong current swept their boat towards the bridge.'

Two other people were also reported injured in the incident and have been taken to the Maha Sarakham Hospital.

Rescue teams launched a search operation the same evening, but it was postponed until October 10 morning due to the strong torrents and poor visibility at the river.

Relatives of the missing locals also visited the river to light candles and pray for their safe return.