An unlucky resident was injured after a python bit his bottom while sitting on the toilet.

Homeowner Witoon Sonapoon, 62, had taken a seat on the bowl and was relieving himself in his restroom in Nonthaburi, Thailand when the snake emerged from the pipework and nipped his behind on April 18.

Witoon immediately stood up after feeling the sharp stab of pain, frantically scrambling on the floor tiles before turning to see the python rearing its head from the U-bend. He then called the emergency services.

Witoon said: 'I was just sitting down and relaxing when the snake suddenly bit me. I was so shocked that I ran out of the bathroom.'

The retired driver added that the snake's strike had not been severe and he went to a hospital to have his injury treated.

Volunteers detached the toilet in an attempt to fish out the serpent, but it had already retreated into the plumbing.

Witoon said: 'I also saw a snake popping out of the toilet three times last month, but it didn't hurt anyone, so I left it there.

'I always see snake encounters being reported on the TV, but I never thought I would experience one myself. Other people should also be careful of snakes when using the toilet.'

The reticulated python is found throughout Southeast Asia, where they live in forests, swamps, canals and even in cities, causing them to come into conflict with humans.

They often enter the underground pipe network where they can travel for through the tubes and emerge in bathrooms.

The species is one of the world's largest snakes and can eat humans, cats, dogs, birds, rats and other snakes.