Thai people celebrated the start of Buddhist Lent last night (July 15) with a huge parade of giant candle sculptures.

Hundreds of locals and tourists packed into the main street to watch the candle festival in Surin, northeastern Thailand.

Footage from the evening shows the massive carved candles loaded onto floats and paraded down the street, followed by a dance performance.

More than 40 elephants were adorably dressed up and decorated with colourful lights, making them become the most anticipating part of the evening show.

Suttipong Chulacharoen, Director General of Department of Local Administration, said that Surin's Candle Festival is held annually since 2007 and has become one of the most famous festivals in the region.

The director said: ''The festival will last for two days on Buddhist holidays. More and more Thais and foreigners are coming to see the parade every year.

''The show also allows people to learn more about local traditions and to see the elephants, which are the signature of our city.''