This is the heartwarming moment a beached dolphin was rescued in southern Thailand.

The injured creature was seen desperately flapping around in shallow water close to the sand in Phang Nga province on August 14.

It had suffered a wound on its back fin as well as several other smaller cuts around its eyes and mouth, believed to have come from rocks near the shore.

Concerned locals rushed into the water to comfort the dolphin, helping to keep it calm until night fall.

They waited for vets to arrive and a few hours later the dolphin was carried out of ocean in a silk sarong to be driven to a marine centre.

Speaking in the video, village official Manasa, says: ''The dolphin washed up on the beach and was laying on the water. It is about two metres long.

''They had an injury on their back fin. We are trying to organise help for the dolphin, but we need them to hurry up.

''If they take too long the dolphin will be too weak. The dolphin has too many injuries, so I'm not sure it will survive it it is released into the sea.''

The dolphin is now being care for at the Sireetarn Marine Endangered Animals Rescue Centre.

Staff said it is recovering well and they hope to release it back into the sea in the coming weeks.