A python sparked panic when it was seen slithering across a shop roof.

Horrified shoppers noticed the reptile coiled along the black frame of a coffee stall at the Future Park Rangsit mall in Pathum Thani, Thailand.

Onlooker Rujisaya Yam and other mallgoers watched in terror as the serpent stretched upwards to the ceiling fittings in front of the Shinkanzen restaurant

Several shoppers ran away in fear that the animal might fall on their heads.

A wildlife rescue team was called to retrieve the python from the ceiling on November 8. It was later captured and released back into the wild

Rujisaya Yam said: 'I was on my way to buy sushi at a Japanese restaurant when I noticed the snake on the ceiling. I was alone at that moment, but there were many people around, some waiting in line to eat, while others were shopping for snacks.

'When everyone saw it, no one ran away. Instead, they took out their phones to take pictures. Meanwhile, mall staff were already coordinating with the animal control team to catch the snake.

'At first, I didn't think it would fall, so I stayed to record a video. But when it started moving, I got scared and decided to walk away because there were so many people. I was afraid that if it really fell, everyone would panic and run in the confined space, so I left the area.'

Pythons are non-venomous constrictors known for ambushing their prey and wrapping around it to suffocate it.

They often slither into residential areas in search of food, especially during the hot season when their natural habitats are disturbed.