A monitor lizard sparked panic when it was found climbing over food displays outside a shop in Thailand.

The cheeky reptile emerged from a swamp and clambered on top of containers despite having storekeepers nearby in Samut Prakan province, Thailand on February 24.

It was being shoved away with a stick but instead of leaving, the creature firmly stood its ground on the trays of snacks.

Footage shows the reptile hugging the packaged bread and chips while a scared shopkeeper pushed it away with a broom stick.

Onlooker Angsumarin said: The lizard didn't leave even when it was being forced away with the broom. It was so stubborn and wanted all the snacks.'

The workers had to take the food trays back inside, leaving the creature and the empty containers outside.

When it seemingly noticed that the goodies were gone, the lizard casually walked away, even crossing the street alone.

Amused Angsumarin added: ‘The lizard was not afraid of people. It was acting like the boss.'

Asian water monitor lizards normally live in canals, swamps, sewers and ponds in cities in Thailand. They feed on fish, snakes, frogs and scraps of food left by humans.

The reptiles are aggressive when threatened and have a mildly venomous bite which sometimes carries harmful bacteria. The Godzilla-like reptiles are also a protected species in the country so their population thrives.