This is the dramatic moment an out-of-control tug boat sparked panic as it veered dangerously close to a pier in Thailand.

Footage shows the vessel towing another boat when it was dragged by the strong river current towards the floating dock in Ayutthaya province on August 27.

Arunwipa Chonkeeree and other onlookers who were waiting for a ferry fled when the boat came within a few inches of hitting the structure.

Fortunately, the boat managed to swerve back towards the middle of the region's Chao Phraya River.

Onlooker Sanan Viskit, 71, said: ‘I was working on the raft when I saw it all happen. I saw six motorboats towing in front, pulling all four cargo ships. Suddenly two motorboats tilted and started moving out of control.

‘The people on board had to cut out the ropes holding on to the cargo ships. The cargo almost smashed into the raft but luckily it started facing the other way, so nobody was hurt.'

The river area is the intersection between Pa Sak river and Chao Phraya river. The raging stream from both rivers caused a whirlpool that triggered several boat accidents in the same area.