A fierce cobra was caught hiding under a family's shoe cabinet.

Retired policeman Ruengrit Maleekan, 65, saw the snake while he was relaxing at home in Saraburi, central Thailand on October 21.

The pensioner recognised how dangerous the reptile was and called the emergency services.

The serpent began hissing aggressively as the rescue team tried to catch it with a long stick.

The team spent more than 10 minutes dragging the snake out of the narrow space. It measured around 4ft long.

Ruengrit said: "The cobra might have been sheltering in my house for a few days before I saw it behind the cabinet.

"I thanked the volunteers for help because the snake was venomous. Luckily it didn't harm anyone.''

The cobra was later released into nearby woodland.