This is the bizarre moment devotees appeared to be possessed during a thanksgiving ritual in Thailand.

Thousands of locals were attending the 'wai khru' ceremony honouring the Buddhist monk Luang Phor Samang when several of them were seemingly possessed.

Footage shows the superstitious residents convulsing, screaming, and walking around in a daze during prayers at the Wat Bang Phra temple in Nakhon Pathom province on March 23.

The ceremony culminated in the sprinkling of holy water on the attendees.

Anek, 57, a follower who travelled from Bangkok to participate in the ritual, said he became a disciple of Luang Phor Samang at 20 years old.

He said: 'It is a subjective matter whether or not to believe the visitors were possessed. I myself don't know, but I refrain from treating them with disrespect because I am afraid I might receive divine punishment.'

Tha wai khru ceremony is a traditional Thai ritual in which students or disciples thank and pay respects to their mentors.

The ceremony also marks the formalization of the student-teacher relationship, and is an important rite across various fields including martial arts, performing arts, and academia.