This is the dramatic moment a meteor illuminated the night sky as it burned up over Thailand.

Dashcam footage shows the bright celestial body plunging above roads in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Shocked locals watched as the fireball flickered and flashed against the dark backdrop of the sky, shortly before an explosion was heard followed by a vibration.

The National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT) said the phenomenon, which it identified as a bolide, was seen across central and eastern Thailand.

NARIT said: 'At approximately 12:28 am., a bright fireball followed by a loud noise over central and eastern Thailand was observed.

'There was damage or danger. Based on photographs and video clips widely shared on social media, it is initially suspected to be a 'bolide' meteor, possibly from the Orionid meteor shower.'

The Orionids are an annual meteor shower that occurs every October, when Earth passes through debris left behind by Halley's Comet. The Earth usually passes through this stream of debris every year between October 2 and November 7.

A bolide is an exceptionally bright meteor that explodes in the atmosphere.

Such meteors burn up before reaching the ground, producing a brilliant flash and sometimes a loud sonic boom.