This is the heartbreaking moment dozens of monkeys watched in vain as a wild python strangled one of their troops.

The reptile pounced on the primate on a mountain path in Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand last Thursday (October 24) afternoon.

Large numbers of monkeys surrounded the snake but each time they ventured near, the python reared up and bared its deadly fangs.

Tragically, they could only watch as their fellow monkey was slowly crushed to death.

An elderly local man also tried to intervene by hitting the snake with a stick without success.

Onlooker Supattra Pranimit was having a day-trip to the area when she noticed the large group of monkeys.

The tourist was shocked to see one of the animals being strangled by the huge python, believed to be around 10ft long.

Supattra said that she felt sorry for the monkey because it was already dead when the python finally released its grip and slithered away.

She said: "It was touching to see monkeys help his friend from dying but I felt so sorry for them, because they could not save their friend. The python killed the monkey then left. I don't think the area was quiet enough for him to try and eat it.''