This is the intense moment a huge king cobra and python battled each other to death in a forest in Thailand.

The two predators clashed in the undergrowth, shocking tourists trekking through the woods in Phetchaburi province on October 2.

Footage shows the python appearing to have the upper hand as it wrapped around the cobra's neck and squeezed the life out of it.

The venomous snake tried to slither free, but the python's death grip locked it firmly in place.

The cobra later emerged victorious after its venom took hold and killed the python.

Onlooker Chatchawan Mettathua said: 'In the end, only the dead body of the python remained in the same place. I think it must have died from the king cobra's venom.'

Some snakes, including pythons and cobras, engage in cannibalism when they fight over food or territory.