Spinning waterspout tornado looms over Thai coast as beachgoers play in sea

A large spinning waterspout tornado formed during a storm off the coast of Thailand on Wednesday afternoon (June 17).

The elephant trunk shaped funnel was seen stretching from dark grey clouds into the ocean in Chonburi province shortly after 3pm.

Heavy rain battered the region today with overcast and humid weather.

Waterspouts 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 Southeast Asian climate combined with fierce thunderstorms can often give rise to waterspouts in coastal areas.