This is the terrifying moment a 14ft-long SNAKE swam through a family's flooded home.

The serpent emerged after heavy rain caused severe floods which killed at least five people in southern Thailand at the start of December.

CCTV footage shows the deadly king cobra floating in from the entrance to the restaurant which is attached to the family's home in Nakhon Si Thammarat.

Chillingly, the serpent was just a few inches from owner Rinrada Kaewruang, 30, who was sitting on a sofa in the corner of the room.

Rinrada noticed the snake and watched - frozen with fear - as it disappeared out of view then left the building again.

She said: ''This was the biggest snake I've ever seen. I can't believe it came right past me and into my shop. When I saw the dark shape in the flood water my heart stopped. I did not dare to move.''

Officials said that at least five people have been killed in the floods and landslides that have hit due to the rain.

The region, close to the border with Malaysia, has been lashed with storms and is expected to suffer more heavy rain and flash floods until December 4.

At least 351 villages across 15 districts were flooded and 16,709 households, or 47,939 people, have been affected. There were also reports of landslides.

Rescue teams in boats evacuated the stranded residents as they prepared for more rain.

Thailand's Southern Meteorological Center warned that the province was on "red alert" due to the continuous rain.

Governor Kraisorn Wisitwong said he instructed the provincial disaster and mitigation office to monitor the situation and provide assistance to affected people.

Trains and aeroplanes into the province have also been cancelled due to the weather.