This is the chaotic moment ravenous villagers clambered over tables when the free buffet was brought out at a traditional festival in Thailand.

Footage shows the frantic locals scrambling to grab food-filled plastic bags at the Wat Sa Khrai temple in Nakhon Si Thammarat province.

The snacks included rice, curry, soup, noodles, fish cakes, spring rolls, fried vegetables and desserts.

Residents, including children, were seen lunging for the free meals, scooping them off the ground and climbing onto tables to reach the centre of the buffet.

The ritual is part of Sart Duen Sip, the tenth lunar month festival, in which families make offerings to their deceased relatives.

According to Buddhist beliefs, sinful ghosts known as 'pretas' visit the world of the living during this time. After the celebration is concluded, people then participate in the 'Ching Pret' or 'eating of leftovers' in which they fight over the food offerings.

They believe consuming the food will bless them and their families with prosperity.