This is the terrifying moment a massive king cobra was captured in a palm grove, stunning locals in southern Thailand.

Residents Phatsakorn Khirirak and Phanuwat Mueangsut were working in an oil palm plantation in Trang province when they noticed the beast on July 17.

The pair had been cutting grass when they spotted what looked like the tail of a serpent, and suspected it might be a cobra.

Fearing it could be dangerous, they immediately contacted emergency responders for help.

Suphat Iadchata, also known as Benz Asorapith, arrived at the scene with his rescue team. Authorities said the search and capture operation took roughly an hour.

Footage shows the moment Suphat carefully handles the enormous reptile, which was later measured at approximately 17ft (5 m) and weighing around 66lbs (30 kg).

Suphat said this was the largest king cobra his team had ever caught in Trang.

He added: 'The snake is so big! We've placed it in a sack and will release it back into its natural habitat.'

King cobras are venomous snakes endemic to Asia. Though it has a fearsome reputation, it typically avoids encounters with humans, but will attack when its nest is threatened.

Researchers found that 7,000 people are treated for snake bites each year in Thailand. Suchai Suteparuk from the Division of Toxicology at Chulalongkorn University reported that 30 of those die, with cobras being the biggest killer.