A hilarious motorcycle sidecar race was held through thick mud to promote environmental conservation in Thailand.

Local drivers battled through the boggy track for the Khamsueakho Enduro Mueang Bang Fai 2023 sidecar racing competition in Yasothon province on August 19 and 20.

Footage shows how the contestants steered their motorcycle sidecars through the uneven, muddy racecourse, with some of them nearly swerving off the path. Cash prizes totalling 7,000 THB (200 USD) were up for grabs.

The event was attended by local authorities, including MP Supaporn Salabsri of the Thai Sang Thai party.

Authorities said they planned to develop the area to be an educational eco-tourism hub.

Ek-ukrit Charoensup, the mayor of Thung Tae Municipality, said the competition aimed to promote the conservation of the district's forests, which were popular foraging grounds among the locals.

Organisers arranged a sidecar race, as many villagers already used these for transportation and work.

He said: 'The residents in the area still lack knowledge on how to preserve natural resources. To that end, a community forest management committee has been established to create a strategy with various sectors to protect our forests.

'We also plan to hold educational initiatives for residents in the future to raise awareness about the environment.'