A monstrous 15ft long python was found in an orchard by shocked locals during a banana tree planting project in Thailand.

Snake wranglers that arrived at the patch of land found the gigantic reptile lying in policeman Samran Chanthaeng's property in Ang Thong province on December 19.

He had hired an excavator to dig up holes in the large yard for planting banana trees.

However, as they turned the earth next to the orchard's walls, they discovered the huge creature resting in the dirt.

Samran called a rescue team to haul the hulking snake away.

Footage shows how the python bared its fangs at the volunteers while coiling its body around Ratha Tapianthong, a rescuer specialising in catching reptiles.

Due to the python's size and the uneven ground, it took four people to safely carry it to higher ground.

The serpent measured more than 13 feet long and weighed a whopping 40 kilograms. It was later freed away from the orchard.

Samran said: 'We found the python while adjusting the ground next to the wall. It was huge so I had to call the other officers for help.'

The reticulated python is found throughout Southeast Asia, where they live in forests, swamps, canals and even in cities, causing them to come into conflict with humans. The species is one of the world's largest snakes and can eat humans, cats, dogs, birds, rats and other snakes.