An emaciated cow stuck for 10 days in a drain was rescued by firefighters in Thailand.

The female farm animal was trapped under the pavement when it was found by a passing local near a bus terminal in Trang province on April 23 afternoon.

The local disaster prevention and mitigation office dispatched firefighters to rescue the cow after receiving a report through social media at 1:30 pm.

Officers pried up the drain grates and saw that the hapless bovine had become emaciated with its ribs and spine nearly poking through its skin. They hoisted it up using ropes, then gave it some water and hosed it down amid the blistering heat.

As soon as it was above ground, the cow collapsed and could not stand on its own.

Rescuers believe the animal may have either wandered or fallen into the drain, where it had been trapped for at least 10 days, surviving on the sewage it was soaking in.

Firefighters have named the cow 'Boon Rod' which roughly means 'survivor' in the Thai language.

A firefighter with some experience raising livestock has volunteered to care for the cow as no one had come forward to claim it.

Security officer Samrit Aunkaew said: 'After seeing the social media post, I went to the area to check and found the cow in an extremely emaciated state, so I contacted the relevant organisations to rescue it. I am happy knowing that I was part of saving this cow and keeping it alive.'

Songsak Songsing, chief of the local disaster prevention and mitigation office, said: 'I want to advise cow owners to take proper care of their animals. There have been many forest fires and grass fires recently, which could cause the cows to flee and accidentally fall into drains or open manholes.'