A tidal river surged into a restaurant and splashed tourists as they ate meals.

CCTV footage shows waves being created by passing ships along the Chao Phraya River in Nonthaburi, Thailand, on July 20.

The moved towards the riverside restaurant and swashed onto customers with some of the water reaching their barbecues.

Restaurant owner Mallika Burakhan said: ‘My customers were eating grilled pork and having fun at the restaurant when there was a wave.'

The Chao Phraya River is a major river in Thailand. It starts in the north and flows south through Bangkok, the capital city, before reaching the Gulf of Thailand.

The river is important for transportation and agriculture but floods regularly. The worst in recent history was in 2011 when swathes of homes were left underwater.