This is the terrifying moment a gargantuan python was pulled from a family's living room ceiling in Thailand.

The 16ft beast had slithered into the house in Samut Prakan province while stalking the family's cat which it had been trying to eat for its dinner.

The residents were relaxing in their living room when they spotted the massive reptile - the length of two adults - moving slowly across the ceiling beams. Fearing it would drop down and strangle them, they fled into their rooms and called the emergency services.

Footage shows how the snake wranglers broke down the hollow ceiling beam using poles to expose the python, which then slithered further up near the house rafters. They carefully snared the beast's head, but its sheer size made it difficult to drag to the ground.

The python appeared to tie itself in a knot trying to resist capture as the rescuers whacked it with their equipment to loosen its grip.

They successfully caught the python after several minutes, but it had caused significant damage to their ceiling.

Experienced snake catcher Paisal said: 'The python was so big. We had a hard time dealing with it because of its strength. It probably entered the house while following the family's pet cat. It's a good thing they saw it right away before it could cause harm.

'I feel a bit bad for the family because the ceiling had to be damaged to catch the snake. They will have to pay for the repairs, but I think they prefer that instead of having a snake on the loose.'

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