A tiny sand island has formed in the ocean - shaped like a heart

The unlikely tourist attraction is said by residents to have only emerged in recent months near the Ban Sam Chong Nua village in Phang Nga province, southern Thailand.

The beautiful sand island is located opposite Sam Chong Tai village and is halfway on the sailing route to the famous tourist attraction in Phang Nga bay.

The tiny sand island is made up of rough sand and shell. It only emerges during the low tide.

Baan Sam Chong Nua village chief Prasit Nonsi said: ‘We were hoping that the heart-shaped sand island will become a tourist spot. We can prepare a schedule to let visitors witness the beauty of this place.'

'To the east, there's a backdrop of mangrove forests and island forests in Phang Nga bay. On the west, there's Sam Chong Tai village in the background with the evening sun.

'When you look from a high angle, the island is shaped almost like a heart. It is beautiful and unusual.

Baan Sam Chong Nua is a community on an island. The village was once called Tub-Nua which means a temporary residence for fishermen. But in 1914, the village name was changed to Ban Sam Chong Nua.'