A massive 16ft long king cobra was caught at a golf course in Thailand.

The huge venomous serpent sparked panic among players and caddies when it appeared on the green at the golf course in Chonburi province on January 2.

Wildlife rescuers received a report at 6:30 pm to catch the deadly creature.

Footage shows officers surrounding the killed reptile as it slithered on the freshly-cut grass. They used snake poles to prod the reptile, before pinning its head on the ground to keep it from biting.

The team said the cobra was 16ft long and weighed 26 lbs. It was placed in a plastic box with holes before being released into the wild.

Animal rescue officer Paisan Pornnimitsap, 41, said: 'We received information from residents in the area that they had also seen another large king cobra in the area where this snake was caught.

'They might be coming out of the woods because of the hot and dry weather. We believe they are searching for food and water. The cobra will be delivered by experts to the relevant agencies for further care before it is released.'

The king cobra is one of the longest venomous snakes in the world. It is known for its impressive length and distinctive hood, which it expands when threatened.

Bites from a king cobra can kill a human in under an hour, though sometimes they inflict 'dry bites' merely as a warning to scare away a potential threat.