A small grass snake sparked panic when it slithered into a street vendor's motorcycle in Thailand.

The 2ft long reptile emerged from bushes at the nearby pond and nestled inside Wisanya Morkkrathok's motorcycle while she was manning her mobile street food stall in Nakhon Ratchasima province on December 28.

Alarmed vendor Wisanya, 44, sought help from residents but their efforts only drove the snake further into the machinery.

As the serpent refused to come out, they decided to disassemble the aging motorcycle sidecar.

Wisanya's husband, an amateur snake catcher, also arrived at the scene and used his expertise to lure out the snake. He managed to catch it with his bare hands when it peeked out briefly from the motorcycle's frame.

The grass snake was released back into its natural habitat.

Wisanya said: 'The snake slithered entered my motorcycle because it was parked near the pond. It may have been looking for food in that area and tried to hide because it was startled by something. I was scared, but I consider it a sign of good luck for the New Year.'

The grass snake is a non-venomous snake found in Europe and Asia, characterized by its greenish or brownish coloration and a yellow or white 'collar' behind its head. It primarily inhabits grassy areas, wetlands, and gardens, feeding on amphibians and small mammals.