A wild monitor lizard casually prowled across a beach in front of shocked tourists.

Footage shows the 4ft reptile lumbering through the sand, causing holidaymakers to back away cautiously in Krabi, Thailand.

As the creature made its way through towels spread on the ground, stunned foreigners watched from a safe distance.

Others took quick photos of the animal and left their spot by the shore.

Visitor Keith Groves, 44, from Ireland, said: 'The monitor lizard was found at Railay Beach.'

The animal ignored the crowd and strolled along the shady area of the shore.

No one was hurt as the beachgoers gave the lizard some space as it explored alongside them on April 9.

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.