A cheeky orangutan fondled a woman's breasts during a photo opportunity at a zoo, leaving onlookers in hysterics.

The primate, wearing a yellow shirt and blue shorts was posing for souvenir pictures with a tourist when he suddenly cupped her chest at Safari World in Bangkok, Thailand, on August 20.

Footage shows the animal named Nhong doing various poses with the woman before climbing down the swing and standing behind her to squeeze her cleavage.

They did a couple more poses with the animal lying on her lap and riding on her back before the photo shoot was done.

Animal rights organisations often disapprove of practices where animals, like orangutans, are used for entertainment or tourist photos, as they claim it can lead to stress and exploitation.

Activists at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) have previously made calls to ban the use of the orangutans in souvenir holiday pictures. They claim they are 'exploited and humiliated'.

The zoo defended the use of the orangutans, with tourists paying around 500 Baht (11 GBP) each for a brief picture session with the primates.

A spokesman said: 'The orangutans are the stars. They are treated exceptionally well and have fantastic lives. Staff and tourists adore them.'

Suddan Wisudthiluck, from the Thammasat University, Anthropology Department, said that animals are 'seen as friends or family members'.