A monitor lizard raided a classroom and caused panicked students to stand at their desks.

Footage shows the reptile crawling under chairs and tables as the youngsters fled on top of furniture at Ban Laem Pittayakom School in Phetchaburi, Thailand, on June 15.

The animal was later evacuated from the school grounds by rescue officers and released unharmed to its habitat.

Asian water monitor lizards normally live in canals, swamps, sewers and ponds in cities in Thailand. They feed on fish, snakes, frogs and scraps of food left by humans.

The reptiles are aggressive when threatened and have a mildly venomous bite, sometimes carrying harmful bacteria. The Godzilla-like reptiles are also a protected species in the country so their population thrives.