A wild otter scared locals as it ran through a police station in Thailand.

The slippery mammal named Tao Jeab emerged from a nearby fish pond and charged along the roads before reaching the constabulary building in Rayong on February 10.

Chaotic footage shows the glistening otter scrambling on tiles, slipping across the smooth floor with its body still wet.

Tao Jeab dashed across the room, hid under benches, and evaded officers who tried to catch it before finally leaving.

Onlooker Nonny Thandarin said: 'The otter lives in by the port. It always shows up here when it looks for food.'

Tao Jeab returned to its habitat after visiting the police station, crossing a road amid passing cars and motorcycles.

Thailand is home to several species of otters, primarily found in freshwater rivers, lakes, and coastal areas. Some of the species include Asian small-clawed otter, smooth-coated otter, and Eurasian otter.