This is the terrifying moment a 5ft long monitor lizard was caught after crashing through the roof of a Thai massage parlour.

The reptile had been scampering through the building when it fell through the ceiling and landed on a oily bed in Ang Thong, Thailand, yesterday (September 28).

After hearing a loud thud, the masseuse went into the room and saw the reptile below the broken ventilation shaft.

The startled monitor lizard, estimated to be 20kg, darted under a wooden bed while the frantic masseuse hurried outside to call for help from the animal rescuers.

Frightened masseuse Yada Maosunthia said: "When I heard the thud, I thought we had a new customer. I was excited because the shop had been very quiet all morning.

"I was shocked when I saw the animal instead. But I hope it's a sign of good luck.''

Reptile specialists arrived at the scene to remove the lizard from parlour located at the basement.

They searched under the massage beds until they found its hiding spot before one of the team straddled the reptile and tied it down with a rope. It struggled to escape but the noose was already secure in its body.

The rescuers covered the reptile's eyes with black cloth to hinder its vision and prevent it from panicking while its legs were tied.

No one was injured by the incident. The monitor lizard was taken away by the rescuers to be released later in the wild.