A snake slithered across the handlebars of a motorcycle while the rider was travelling home.

The painted keelback suddenly emerged from under the fork of Aun's scooter after he had already been riding for three miles in Roi Et province, Thailand on July 3.

Footage shows the serpent slinking around the front of the two-wheeler and even Aun's hand. It explored the throttle and the dashboard before returning to its hiding spot.

While the reptile showed itself, Aun remained calm and continued driving casually. He said he knew the snake was not venomous.

Aun said: ‘I was already running 4km when the snake revealed itself. It didn't hurt me so I stayed calm. When I got off the motorcycle upon reaching my destination, the snake left too.'

The painted keelback is a non-venomous water snake native to South and Southeast Asia. It has a greenish or olive-brown body adorned with black spots and reddish or yellow stripes along its sides.