A shocked wildlife photographer fled in panic when a wild monkey climbed into a pickup truck he was riding in Thailand.

The cameraman was shooting from the back of the vehicle coasting along a mountain road in Prachinburi province but was startled when the primate nonchalantly hitched a ride while looking for food on May 28.

It seemed to ignore him as it rummaged through containers and plastic bags, bent on its quest for a meal.

Trying to avoid the animal's wrath, the photographer jumped down onto the road as the monkey continued searching for scraps of food.

It was later seen grabbing a box before leaving without harming anyone.

Driver Nopparat said: 'I've done this journey before and monkeys never jumped into the truck. This one was aggressive. It ran away with a box but thankfully it wasn't anything too valuable.'