An elusive stray kitten tried to evade police before he was rescued on a busy bridge in Thailand.

Cholasak Benjamas, commander-in-chief of the Nonthaburi police, was patrolling when he spotted the frightened feline perched on the concrete railings of the Phra Nang Klao Bridge in Nonthaburi province on January 14.

Concerned that the tiny cat might fall into the water below, he tried to rescue it and bring it back to safety. However, the distrustful kitten fled from him and ran out onto the road as cars sped by.

Cholasak gave chase and managed to grab the terrified male moggy several times, but it would thrash in his hands and break free.

Passing motorists and staff from the Poh Teck Tung Foundation who saw Cholasak's struggle helped him direct traffic and signalled at passing vehicles to stop while the kitten was being rescued.

After a few moments of stalled traffic, they finally managed to catch the kitten from under a car. They wrapped it in a blanket and gave it some water to drink before taking it to Wat Kae Nok temple, where it will be put up for adoption.

Policeman Cholasak said: 'We couldn't leave the cat on the bridge as it could have been hurt by the cars, or caused an accident. He's safe now and will be cared for by the monks at the temple.'