This is the dramatic moment villagers rescued a pregnant cow that slipped into a flooded ditch in central Thailand.

The five-year-old cow named Chao Mom was grazing with its herd when it plunged into the steep ditch in Nakhon Ratchasima, on September 27.

Villagers initially tried to widen the channel to release water but they still failed to haul the heavy animal out. They called an animal rescue team, who arrived at the sugarcane field amid fears the exhausted Chao Mom would soon drown.

Footage shows rescuers using a tractor to winch the stranded bovine out of the water-filled trench, which had been carved out by flash floods during the rainy season.

They tied ropes to Chao Mom's forelegs before dragging the shivering animal up.

The three-hour-long effort was completed shortly before a torrential downpour struck the region.

Chao Mom belonged to farmer Phennapha Setprakhon, 39, who had asked her uncle, La-ong Pangprakhon, 78, to take care of her herd of 16 cows a day earlier.

La-ong said: 'While we were crossing the field, the cow chased after a smaller one in the herd and accidentally slipped in. The height was about 3 metres (10 feet) high, with water cascading into the ditch after heavy rain, so it was impossible for her to climb out.

'My neighbours and I tried to rescue her, but we eventually had to call the Subdistrict Administrative Organization for assistance. Luckily, Chao Mom was rescued in time or she could have drowned.'