This is the spectacular moment locals fired a homemade rocket at an annual rainmaking festival in Thailand.

The impressive device stuffed with 200kg of explosives was launched into the heavens to mark the start of the festivities at the Sam More Non Tun School in northeastern Khon Kaen province, Thailand, on May 12.

Meesawat Chomchaiphum, a member of the Khon Kaen Provincial Administrative Organisation, said locals and residents from neighbouring Chaiyaphum province have been holding the annual rainmaking ritual for several years at the start of the country's monsoon season.

He said: 'This year, the festival will be grand, involving a large parade, three days of rocket launching, performances by famous Mor Lam bands, and booths selling local products.'

He added that the provincial administrative organisation spent 500,000 THB (11,000 GBP) for the event, including importing the rocket from Yasothon province which is famous for its spectacular rockets.

Thailand's Rocket Festival is held annually to honour Phaya Thaen, the Buddhist deity of rainmaking, as farmers and villagers pray for rain for a bountiful harvest. They believe the rockets will reach the clouds and help to stimulate impending monsoon downpours, which last until October or November.

Authorities also hope to pass down the decades-long tradition by organising spectacular shows that will fire the imaginations of younger residents.