Sparks flew as a carjacked pickup truck raced along a highway in Thailand.

Footage shows orange sparks spattering on the pavement as the stolen Toyota pickup zigzagged across lanes in Krabi province on January 18.

Its driver, a man in a yellow-green shirt, was later seen abandoning the vehicle and sprinting into a side road.

Police were searching for him after he disappeared among the trees and tall grass in the wooded area.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Witthaya Thongkong, deputy superintendent of the Ao Nang police station, said the truck had been stolen from neighbouring Phang Nga province around 75 miles away.

The truck's owner reportedly left his kid inside the truck with the engine running when he stepped out to buy some food.

The suspect then leapt into the driver's seat and revved away with the youngster still in the truck.

An onlooker said the alleged carjacker dropped the child off in the Thap Put District of Phang Nga before driving off again toward Krabi province.

The stolen truck has been returned to the owner.

Authorities were still searching for the suspect.