This is the chilling moment a man approached a woman with a knife before stopping to stroke a pet cat.

Shocking CCTV footage shows the man holding a sharp object and seemingly preparing to attack an oblivious woman who was preparing a meal at the Wat Nimmanoradee temple in Bangkok, Thailand on March 27.

In a surprise turn of events, however, the man quickly stuffed the deadly weapon back in his waist bag and started stroking a stray cat sleeping on the table instead. Seconds later, a passer-by approached the woman for a quick chat before walking away.

The unidentified male, who is only known as a man who visits the temple, disappeared from the scene before he could be caught by police in the area.

The woman’s daughter-in-law Vong said: ‘It’s shocking how the man could switch moods so fast. The cat saved my mother-in-law’s life.’

Vong said she reported the incident to officers who reviewed the recordings and opened a case. They said the man, who they suspect could be a local drug addict or mentally unstable, could be arrested on suspicion of carrying a knife in public.

Lieutenant Colonel Wat Kongkaeo from Phasi Charoen Police Station close to the area where the incident happened said officers were trying to identify the man.

The policeman said: 'The temple abbot recognised the man on the CCTV but they do not know his name or address. They will contact the police immediately if he returns so that we officers can question him.'