Villagers made ornate candle sculptures that will mark the Buddhist Lent festival in Thailand.

The diligent candlemakers painstakingly carved spectacular Buddhist deities out of wax at the Wat Doem temple in Nakhon Ratchasima province on July 19.

They were preparing for the annual Candle Festival celebrated in the country's northeast which is held annually during Buddhist Lent, which usually falls on the eighth lunar month.

The team said they had so far used 10 tonnes of wax and had paid 300,000 THB (8,819 USD) to create the 16ft-tall, 66ft-long float depicting scenes and gods from Buddhism.

Footage shows the villagers melting honey-coloured wax and casting them in moulds to be carved into more intricate figures, including mythical Garuda birds, Kinnaree boats, and snake-like Nagas.

The locals said the float will be displayed near the Thao Suranari Monument for the festival from August 1 to 4, and entered into a float-making contest.

The Candle Festival takes place in Thailand's northeastern Isan region to commemorate Buddha's first sermon. Elaborate wax sculptures are carved by artists and paraded through the streets, reflecting Buddhist stories.