A Bentley-driving show-off sparked panic when he was seen cruising through a city with a baby lion leaning from the car.

Footage shows the collared big cat enjoying the joyride as it sits in the back of the white open-top Continental GTC car in Pattaya, Thailand, on January 22.

Onlookers watched in amazement as the predator peered out across the road. Some were afraid that the lion cub could attack them.

Shocked wildlife authorities launched an investigation after receiving complaints about the dangerous incident.

Atthapol Charoenchansa, director-general of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, said officials checked wildlife registration records and successfully identified the owner of the lion as well as the Bentley driver.

The cub was reportedly registered at Protected Areas Regional Office 3 in Ratchaburi under Thai woman Sawangjit Kosoongnern, who claimed it was being transported to another area in Chonburi province.

The male driver was an Indian national and Sawangjit's friend. He has not been named in reports.

Atthapol said Sawangjit and the Indian driver may have broken the law by taking the lion out of an authorised area.

He said: 'In the lion ownership guidelines, there is clear information that they must be kept in certain premises. The lions cannot be moved or taken out for scenic rides in public areas.'

The pair may face up to six months in prison or a fine of up to 50,000 THB (1,395 USD) if found guilty.

Owning exotic animals is legal in Thailand with the proper permits.

Last year, an escaped white lion cub also caused alarm when it wandered around streets in Chonburi province.

The owner Chen Tai, 39, from China had purchased the cub for 500,000 THB (13,950 USD) but could not produce proper ownership documents. He was allowed to register the animal and was advised to keep it inside his home to avoid scaring his neighbours.