Navy officials are searching for a manta ray seen underwater with a rope wrapped around its body.

Officers began the search and rescue mission in Phang Nga province on February 10 after a scuba diver recorded a video showing the restrained marine creature.

The video was taken by a group of tourists who visited the Koh Bon dive site and saw the manta ray swimming around.

One of the divers Suntorn Chedman said they had descended to 50ft when the creature appeared to be struggling as it floated by them.

Suntorn said: 'We tried helping the manta ray but we had no proper equipment to remove the rope around its body. We just hope the animal could be rescued soon.'

The manta ray, estimated to be around 12ft wide, reportedly had wounds and scrapes around its fins but it could still move around even when bound.

The search and rescue mission is now ongoing for the marine creature amid fears that the rope, believed to be from a fishing vessel, could restrict its movement and affect its health.