This is the amusing moment a cheeky wild monkey helped itself to a bag of crisps during a camping trip in Thailand.

Footage shows the macaque tearing into a packet of Lays in front of camper Wachi’s tent at the Khao Yai National Park in Phetchaburi on September 23.

The brazen animal sat munching the stolen snack before fleeing with the bag still in hand.

Wachi said: 'I don't know when it happened, but it just grabbed the chips. When I tried to chase the monkey away, it tore the package and continued eating in front of me. It was really audacious.'

Thailand faces an overpopulation of macaques in several cities, where the monkeys roam streets, raid homes, and snatch food from residents and tourists.

Authorities have tried relocation, sterilisation, and feeding restrictions to curb the growing numbers.