Locals took part in an amusing ‘water boxing' duel on a pole over a swamp to celebrate the Loy Krathong festival in Thailand.

Footage shows contestants wearing boxing gloves and throwing punches at each other while awkwardly hanging on a pipe in Surin province, Thailand, on November 8.

The locals had to box over a swamp as they battled to stay planted on a thick PVC pipe.

Organiser Ploysicha Chomboon said the event was meant to bring people together after the pandemic prevented them from such activities for two years.

He said: ‘These funny games have been played in Thailand for a long time. Covidd kept us from having events like these, so we want to bring it back.'

Locals from 18 villages across the country went to participate. Each winner in the game received 1,000 baht (24 GBP) prize money.