Superstitious villagers drink and bathe in mud they believe has special powers

Superstitious villagers have been drinking and bathing in ''magical'' mud they believe has special powers.

Locals were amazed when the light brown ''lava'' goo appeared in a cracked rice field in Nakhon Ratchasima, northeastern Thailand.

They noticed it had a fine, soft texture like beauty products. The women began rushing there to cover their arms in it, while also taking it home to mud baths.

Many residents have even bottled up the mud and diluted it with water so they can drink it.

Buddhist monks were invited to the ''magical'' spring to bless it and villagers have been worshipping the mud at the temple where they prostrate before bottles of it to show reverence.

But despite locals claiming it has made their skin look younger and cured aching joints, village officials in the Korat region have warned them it could contain toxic chemicals from farming pesticides in the ground.

Rutsamee Dipprakone, 43, defied the warnings and said that the mud was fresh and odourless with a fine texture like skin care products.

She said: ''I applied it on my face overnight and I could feel that my face was brighter, smoother, and softer today.

''I also drank it this morning and it gave a natural-feeling taste, like the fresh rain. I keep it on my skin for between ten and 20 minutes. It feels very good.''

Some locals believed that applying the "magic" clay on their body could cure chronic pain within three days.