Two king cobras squatted inside an empty house to escape the heat wave in Thailand.

The pair of venomous reptiles - a male and a female - slithered under the kitchen sink at the under-construction home in Chanthaburi province on April 10.

The considerate owner called the local snake wranglers and placed an electric fan near the snakes to keep them cool.

Animal rescuers later arrived and captured the cobras, which measured 11ft and 8ft. Both were released into a forest away from the neighbourhood.

The relieved resident said: 'I was inspecting the house when I spotted a king cobra slithering inside. At first, I saw only one snake. I called the rescue team because it was huge.

'While waiting for the officers, another cobra went inside and coiled under the sink.

'They were probably seeking shelter because it was so hot outside. I felt a little sorry, so I turned on the electric fan for them while I waited.'

Researchers found that 7,000 people are treated for snake bites each year in Thailand. Suchai Suteparuk from the Division of Toxicology at Chulalongkorn University reported that 30 of those die, with cobras being the biggest killer.