A Buddhist monk has been raising a giant python in his hut for more than 30 years after he found it in the temple grounds.

Boonlert Apasaro, 69, discovered the snake in the undergrowth near the religious building in Nakhon Si Thammarat, southern Thailand.

He kept the snake in his bedroom and nurtured it every day. Locals even believe that the serpent has a miraculous ability to cure illnesses.

Footage from Wednesday (05/02) shows the 22ft long python coiling around the elderly monk while locals visit to worship it.

The elder monk said his beloved python, named, Thongkham, was highly revered by locals thanks to its healing abilities.

He said: "Thongkhamis popular among the villagers because they believe that stroking its tail could cure their physical injuries such as back pain.

"Even though I don't fully believe that the snake has special powers, I respect people's beliefs and I would never deny them the chance to practice that.

"I used to think about releasing Thongkhamback to the wild but when I considered that I have been raising himfor so manyyears,I worried that he wouldno longer able to find food by himself, so I think I have to take care of it until one of us will die."