This is the terrifying moment a ferocious cobra was caught in a family's toilet in Thailand.

Footage shows the deadly serpent raising its head as it squared off against snake wrangler Chokchai Chanawirut inside the family's bathroom in Nonthaburi province on July 22.

Despite the snake's aggressive behavior - hissing viciously with its hood unfurled - Chokchai subdued the reptile with his bare hands and hauled it away from the residential area.

The fireman, known by his nickname 'Pak Kret Snake Charmer', said he had learned to catch snakes from another reptile expert.

He said: 'Most of them are reticulated pythons, though I also catch other reptiles like monitor lizards. I use my bare hands, but not everyone should do this.

'People should be cautious of poisonous reptiles that might enter their houses during the rainy season. Don't try to catch them by yourself. Instead, lock them inside a room and wait for the specialists to arrive.'

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.