This is the dramatic moment pedestrians narrowly avoided being crushed by a collapsing building canopy in Bangkok, Thailand.

The locals were walking along Charoen Krung Road when the 10x25 metre gypsum canopy fell from the 50-year-old building on August 31.

Footage shows the structure crumbling onto the sidewalk and hitting power cables that erupted in bright sparks. The falling material struck parked vehicles below and destroyed signages.

Wat Phraya Krai District police officers, medics, electricity personnel, and public works staff arrived at the scene at around 11:15 pm.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Watit Rojnaphithun, commander of Wat Phrayakrai Police Station, said there were no injuries reported, but two lanes on Charoen Krung Road were closed as authorities cleared the debris.

He said: 'The damaged government properties include surveillance camera posts, alley signs, and electric poles. The responsible party will be held liable for civil damages.

'Power will be restored and the road will be cleared as soon as possible to ensure minimal disruption.'

The building was reported to be a previous bank branch office that closed. Its current owner is overseas, police said.

Caretaker Vittaya Ketkaew, 72, who was inside the building when the canopy collapsed, said: 'I was taking a shower when I heard a loud noise outside. I thought it was just a garbage truck, but the noise grew louder, then I saw sparks outside the building, so I hurried to find an exit with the help of a friend.'

Sayan Kusonphan, head of civil works at the Bang Kho Laem District Office, said the canopy may have collapsed due to age and water that had accumulated on it. He added the building itself was not damaged.

Officials were checking if the canopy had the proper building authorisation from the district.