A wild snake sparked panic when it dropped from a tree onto childing playing in the river below.

Footage shows the 5ft-long reptile plunging from a branch while the kids were standing on a wooden raft in Khon Kaen province, northern Thailand, on December 17.

The youngsters were unaware of the creature until they heard it hit the water with a splash then saw it wriggling around furiously on the surface.

Both boys shouted in fear, but the snake swam away to avoid them.

Their relative Mike Nammon said: ‘They thought a branch fell so they covered their heads with their arms. But when they saw the snake swimming they were terrified.'

No one was hurt in the incident, and the family continued their outing in the river.