Waterspout forms off Thai coast amid tropical storms

A large waterspout stretching from the sea into the clouds emerged off the coast of Rayong, eastern Thailand on Sunday (April 25).

The incredible natural phenomenon formed off the coast and was witnessed by workers from a nearby natural gas power plant.

It came as tropical storms swept through the country lashing the capital Bangkok with heavy rain that lead to flash floods and hails stones battered northern regions.

Onlooker Mae Bhubet said: ''It was scary.

I was standing in the power plant when I saw the waterspout.

I guess it was in the middle of the sea.'' Waterspouts, or funnel clouds, are intense columns of swirling tornado clouds that form over a body of water.

They are most commonly found in subtropical areas and disappear shortly after they come into contact with land.

Thailand's humid Mediterranean climate combined with fierce thunderstorms can often give rise to waterspouts in coastal areas.