An escaped deer caused chaos when it was seen running along a road next to an airport in Thailand.

The wild animal was spotted by concerned locals sprinting on the Kingkaew Road in Samut Prakan province on August 16.

The artery leading to the Suvarnabhumi Airport had to be closed for a short while as some 20 officers chased after the doe with a net.

Wildlife officials even shot the elusive creature with an anesthetic since it was nearly impossible for the volunteers to keep up with it.

Despite being drugged, the slippery female deer named Bowi still managed to move swiftly, before she was finally cornered in a car park away from the road.

Rescuers bound her legs with rope before taking her back to the King Kaew Buddhist temple where she lives with the monks, who care for her as a pet.

Council chief Poodkhet said: 'We believe that the heavy rain and loud thunder must have frightened the deer.

'We had been searching for it for over a day. We never thought we'd find her running in the middle of the road today.'

Buddhist monk Komsan, who looks after the deer, said: 'A visitor gifted the deer five years ago. They are well kept inside the temple, but I think the janitor might have left the gate open.

'I was afraid she might get crushed by a car. Luckily, the officers brought her back safely.'