A worker was killed and another injured when a 200kg 'lucky' Buddha statue fell on top of them at a Thai temple.

Saranyu Kanyamai, 40, and his colleague Adisak were moving the religious golden sculpture when it toppled over and crushed them at the Wat Ban Non Kaet in Si Sa Ket, Thailand on June 27.

Muang Si Sa Ket District Police officers and medics arrived to the incident at around 3:20 pm and found Adisak with his legs mangled by the statue. He was rushed to a hospital for treatment.

Saranyu was struck in the chest and died at the scene, officers said.

Lieutenant Colonel Apisit Supho from the Muang Si Sa Ket police station said: 'Both of them were moving the heavy statue to prepare for a royal cremation ceremony.

'The locals told us that they've been busy since morning. The temple also did not have enough hands, which may have contributed to the accident.'

Villagers said a similar incident happened at the temple years ago, when a piece of scaffolding fell on a worker, killing him.

Saranyu's body was taken to the Sisaket Hospital, and will be handed over to relatives for a funeral.

The temple abbot said the Buddha statue was placed at the temple to bring good luck to the devotees who prayed there.