A fearless schoolboy became a class favourite in Thailand by effortlessly catching geckos.

Anuchai Taengtua, 12, sprang into action when he learned that a small reptile had entered a classroom at Ban Khlong Phlu Prachasan School in Kamphaeng Phet on September 11.

Footage captured by Teacher Toey shows Anuchai, known as 'Chao Toon, the Gecko Hunter,' wearing a grey jacket and armed with a stick as he cornered the animal behind a board covered in posters.

The creature then fell to the floor before Toon grabbed it with his bare hands.

Toon explained that his skills stemmed from his hobby of watching online videos of people capturing snakes and geckos.

He mentioned being bitten a few times, but he simply opens the animal's mouth and safely releases it. Toon also added that geckos are harder to find at home, so he started catching them at school instead.

In the future, the young hero hopes to become a rescuer, capturing reptiles for others.

Teacher Toey said: 'It's great to have a student who is an expert at catching geckos and snakes. He helps his classmates and teachers by removing these scary creatures from classrooms, toilets, and even the teachers' office.'

Geckos are generally not harmful to humans. They rarely bite unless provoked and are considered beneficial because they eat pests such as mosquitoes and flies.