Fearless Thai dancers have revealed how they perform an bizarre dance - with live cobras stuffed inside their mouths.

The troupe in vivid purple and blue silk dresses shocked visitors to a local festival this month when they wore the venomous serpents like scarves around their necks. They then simultaneously shoved the reptile heads into their mouths at a show in Khon Kaen province, Thailand, on November 29.

The unusual routine was performed as part of the region's silk festival which showcased the beautiful hand-woven clothing made by the locals. However, it was the potentially deadly snake dance that left visitors amazed.

A dancer with the group, Amnuay Luangbun, 50, explained that they learn the traditional dance from a young age and the snakes - which still possess their deadly venom and fangs - have their mouths taped shut during the show.

Amnuay said: ‘This dance is only performed on special occasions, we don't do it every day. The techniques have been passed down from generation to generation.'

The snake dance veteran said she has been performing the routine for more than 30 years and has become confident in handling and taming the deadly creatures.

She said: 'I have never been bitten by a snake, even while practicing earlier. I love them like my own children. Through these snakes, we've been able to feed our families with these snakes, and now my children have completed their education. I want this dance to be passed down to the younger generations.'

Despite the dancers' expertise, the jaws of the cobras and pythons are also taped shut as an added safety precaution.

Kessuda Pimsaimul, 48, tourism chairman of the Cobra Conservation Community, said: ‘The community has benefited from the income earned from these snake dances.

'The shows have been around even during our ancestors' time. We are the fourth generation performing it. I hope our tradition will be preserved since our villagers have been making a comfortable livelihood out of it.'

Kessuda added that the pandemic nearly decimated the snake dancers' careers, with some of the cobras being freed when tourists stopped coming to the province.

He said: 'The only thing that kept us going was our love for the snakes. We are now slowly recovering and have been receiving positive feedback from visitors.'