A shocked motorcycle rider found a live snake hiding in the fuel tank of his bike in Thailand.

The driver lifted the seat of his Honda Wave bike to refuel when he saw the small reticulated python coiled around the tank's cap at a fuel station in Phetchabun province on June 11.

Fearing the snake was venomous, the staff called the local snake wranglers, who arrived and caught the snakeling.

The serpent was placed inside a bag and later released into its natural habitat.

Pump attendant Thanakrit Onlabut, 25, said: 'I filled up the rider's gas tank and was about to shut the fuel cap when I saw the snake slithering nearby. It was quite small, but I didn't dare touch it. So we both stepped away and called the reptile handlers instead.'

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.