A wild monitor lizard appears and swims on a beach in front of tourists in Thailand.

Footage shows the beast wandering around the beach on Koh Hong island in Krabi as shocked holidaymakers kept their distance.

The lizard then swam away from the shore, with beachgoers moving out its path on October 28.

While monitor lizards are generally shy and elusive, they may be observed swimming near the shores of beaches, especially in less populated areas. They are known to explore different environments in search of food and suitable habitats.

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.