Dozens of terrified tourists fled for their lives as a fire tore through an apartment block in Thailand.

The blaze broke out at the Olympus City Garden Condominium in resort town Pattaya, sending thick plumes of smoke billowing from the seventh floor on Sunday evening.

Footage shows fire alarms ringing as dark smoke poured from the windows.

Firefighters, rescuers and police rushed to the scene while panicked tenants were evacuating.

Dramatic footage showed smoke pouring from room 707 as emergency crews battled to contain the blaze.

Officers doused the flames and brought the fire under control within 30 minutes. Ventilation machines were used to clear the air.

Firefighters said more than 60 people were treated for smoke inhalation. No serious injuries were reported.

Resident Pornsiri Siriya, 26, said the blaze started in her own room while she and her boyfriend were inside.

She said: ‘I was doing laundry when I smelled something burning. When I checked, I saw flames coming from an electric outlet. It rapidly spread to the bed and the whole room.'

The couple escaped and alerted the building staff, who then called emergency services.

Authorities said the cause of the fire was under investigation.

Fires in Thailand are commonly caused by ageing electrical infrastructure, extensive use of wood in construction, and regional heat waves that can exacerbate fire risks. Rapid fire response can also be hampered in densely packed neighbourhoods where narrow streets can delay firefighting efforts.