A terrified farm worker was stuck on a tree while harvesting wasps to sell.

Songkran, 43, had climbed the 23ft eucalyptus tree to reach a hive during peak wasp hunting season in Bueang Kan, Thailand, on October 8.

He said he was about to break off the branch with the hive when his makeshift cloth glove came loose, exposing his skin to the swarm of furious bugs.

He said: 'Dozens of wasps stung my hand until I couldn't take it anymore. I slid down from the tree, but when I was around 10 foot away from the ground, my right leg was snagged in a branch. I couldn't climb down.

'I was wearing a beesuit and a helmet but the pain was so bad that I almost fainted, especially because I hadn't eaten breakfast.

A passer-by driving through the area found a shirtless Songkran - his protective gear discarded on the roadside - hugging the tree as wasps continued to divebomb him. He called a rescue team for help.

Footage shows the officers supporting Songkran's weight with a bamboo pole while he slowly slid down the tree. They soaked him in a nearby pond to alleviate the painful stings before rushing him to the Bueng Khong Long Hospital.

Songkran said he makes a living hunting and selling wasps. He added that during Buddhist Lent is when the insects start to mature and reach their peak value. They can sell for up to 800 THB per kilo.

He warned other villagers and foragers to be careful and avoid making the mistakes he did.

He said: 'In the past, I've searched for wasps in various areas and never made a mistake like this. I'd like to advise everyone who forages for wasps or bees to have complete protective gear before working, and to be physically ready. Get enough rest. Be mindful and have a friend or partner with you.

'I made a mistake not wearing the proper gloves because I was in a hurry. I was afraid that someone else would come and take the hive first.'

Bees and wasps are commonly eaten in northern Thailand, where they are seen as a highly nutritious food source.

Some villagers hunt for hives in the wild, while others have turned to breeding and farming them.