Fascinating footage shows how train drivers and stations in Thailand still use a quaint British ring token system to prevent collisions.

Footage shows train pilot Phuchadet Chuesangchan holding a sizable metal token with a wide hole during the trip in Songkhla, Thailand.

He waits, throws the metal shape onto a pole like a fairground game, and grabs the next one from the next pole while the train is in motion.

The process is part of the railway block system introduced by the British Empire, which had a significant influence on Thailand.

The Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909 granted Britain access to Siam's markets and facilitated the construction of a railway connecting Bangkok to British Malaya.

Despite some obvious health and safety concerns, the system has proved remarkably efficient for the country's rail network.

Block systems ensure that trains are not released onto a track section if another train is already present. The system is designed to prevent collisions and disruptions during train operations.

Manual token systems are still used on single-line railways across Thailand, which uses a vintage rail network.

A physical mechanical token is issued to a train and only one train can hold the token for a particular section of the line at a time.

The driver must have the token to proceed along the tracks.