A wilad monitor lizard sparked panic when it tore through a mall in central Thailand.

The reptile entered the first floor of the shopping centre in the Navanakorn Industrial Zone in Pathum Thani province on May 9 while escaping from stray dogs chasing it outside.

The beast skittered behind a counter selling Buddhist ornaments, with mall-goers calling animal handlers for help.

Footage shows the rescue team snaring the monitor lizard using a noose. The animal made feeble attempts at resistance, but was easily subdued with its limbs tied together.

The operation took 15 minutes, and the monitor lizard was released into its natural habitat.

Shoppers said they saw it being chased by a dog, running ito the automatic doors at the back of the mall while a customer was leaving.

Asian water monitor lizards normally live in canals, swamps, sewers and ponds in cities in Thailand. They feed on fish, snakes, frogs and scraps of food left by humans.

The reptiles are aggressive when threatened and have a mildly venomous bite which sometimes carries harmful bacteria. The Godzilla-like reptiles are also a protected species in the country so their population thrives.