This is the hilarious moment a Buddhist monk gives into a persistent cat's bid for affection during five-hour-long New Year prayers at a Thai temple.
Footage shows a chanting monk in a saffron-robe monk gently trying to push away the cat as it repeatedly crawls into his lap.
Respect for all living beings is a key tenet of Buddhism, practised by about 95 per cent of Thailand's population.
After several attempts to repel the cat, the monk finally gave up and started petting the furry intruder at Wat Udomrangsi, a temple on the outskirts of Bangkok where the cat is known to be a regular visitor.
The 25-year-monk, who uses the monastic name Luang Pi Komkrit Taechachoto, said: 'I was trying to read the book. But I was more focused on the cat.'
The cat's antics also drew a stern side-eye from a more senior monk seated adjacent to it.
Nophayong Sookphan, a temple follower who took the video, said the cat jumped on stage at around 15 minutes to midnight and would not leave until after the countdown to New Year's Day.
She originally posted the video on a public Facebook group named 'Cats' Slaves', and it was soon reposted on different pages.
The footage has gained around 300,000 views collectively and was also replayed on Thai TV.
Thailand has a tradition of free-roaming cats at its many Buddhist temples.
Wat Udomrangsi is home to at least a dozen stray cats, who are fed by devotees each day, Komkrit said.
'They're all fat,' he added.
This article has been adapted from its original source.
