Wildlife handlers wrangled a huge 13ft long king cobra found in front of a family's home.

The rescue team battled to catch the terrifying creature after it appeared on the doorstep of the property in Nakhon Si Thammarat province, Thailand, on February 13.

Thongchai Kaewnak, 56, said he had just come home from work and was about to unlock the front door when he encountered the reptile. It raised its head, flared its hood, and threatened to strike at him, prompting him to make a swift retreat and call animal control.

Footage shows how the officers caught the beast with a snake pole, with the cobra angrily hissing and writhing in their grip.

After being measured, it was hauled into a sack to be released back into the wilderness.

Thongchai said the cobra might have been hungry, and emerged from the nearby forest looking for food.

He added: 'It was lucky no one was at home and all the windows and doors were closed so the cobra couldn't sneak inside. I've never seen a cobra this large before. I believe it came to us as a sign of good luck.'