A huge Godzilla-like monitor lizard charged at visitors riding a golf cart.

The 7ft (2m) reptile was swimming the course's pond when it found the passing golfers and rampaged towards them in Pathum Thani province, Thailand, on January 12.

Footage shows the agile creature making a beeline for the vehicle where a woman was heard screaming in panic at Pinehurst Golf Club and Hotel.

It sniffed around the front of the vehicle before one of them threw a ball away which distracted the animal.

Visitor Chompoo said: 'The lizard was already there before we arrived. I was surprised and frightened when it dashed towards us.'

The monitor lizard eventually left the golf cart and returned to the pond afterwards.

Asian water monitor lizards normally live in canals, swamps, sewers and ponds in cities in Thailand. They feed on fish, snakes, frogs and scraps of food left by humans.

The reptiles are aggressive when threatened and have a mildly venomous bite which sometimes carries harmful bacteria. The Godzilla-like reptiles are also a protected species in the country so their population thrives.