This is the terrifying moment a knifeman rampaged through a school on a Thai tourist island.

CCTV footage shows the armed individual striding into the Greenacre International School on the island of Koh Samui this morning.

Wielding what appeared to be a sickle, he tried to barge into a building before being confronted by a security officer in a hi-vis vest.

The fearless guard was unfazed by the man's weapon as he drove the would-be intruder away.

A police spokesman said: 'This is the incident of a mentally ill person armed with a machete, threatening Greenacre International School in the city centre area. Fortunately, no one was injured. What should be done to ensure safety?

'The police have now taken him into custody and the school has filed a report to proceed with legal action.'

Koh Samui has seen a surge of tourism among US, British and European travellers following the success of The White Lotus's third season.

The Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, which serves as the show's fictional setting, saw a tenfold increase in demand, its executive vice president Marc Speichert said. The spike in interest, called the 'White Lotus Effect', also boosted tourism in the previous filming locations of Hawaii and Sicily.

However, the island has become a notorious drug haven after seeing an influx of narcotics smugglers due to lax enforcement.