A hero passerby paddled through a dirty canal to save a drowning puppy during floods in Thailand.

The local heard a pooch crying under the flooded drain with neighbours and quickly glided through the sludge to retrieve it in Chumphon province on December 15.

Footage shows the resident removing some of the trash before wriggling through the tight gap between the water and concrete.

He successfully freed the canine and gave it to his neighbours who assisted him during the rescue operation.

Onlooker Bunyapha Nueayen said: 'When floods hit, there are many lives that are waiting for help. I am glad we are always there for each other.'

The rescue came during heavy rain that caused widespread flash floods in the region along with nearby islands including Koh Samui, Koh Tao and Koh Phangan.