A tourist was rescued from his burning room as hundreds of terrified holidaymakers fled from a building fire in the early of hours of Saturday morning.

The man was dragged to safety as the blaze ripped through the apartment block used by holidaymakers and ex-pats in Pattaya, Thailand, at 1:30 am local time on February 4. There were at least 200 people staying there at the time, officials said.

Firemen quelled the inferno and the injured tourist - who has not been named - was taken to the hospital to be treated for minor burns and smoke inhalation.

At least 12 other people staying in the building were treated for the effects of breathing in smoke.

Police said that the fire started on the eighth floor of the building and the alarm was raised by security guards. There were no fatalities.