McDonald's in Thailand has apologised to customers after a video surfaced online showing a large rat scurrying around a dessert counter at one of its restaurants.

The fast-food giant confirmed in a statement that a rat had rummaged through its restaurant in a shopping mall in the city of Hat Yai in southern Thailand, and blamed the incident on local sewers.

The statement, issued on Sunday, said: "We checked security footage and found that the accusation is true. A rat ran into the restaurant."

It said it learned of the incident the day after the video was posted and immediately ordered the restaurant to conduct a thorough cleaning and increase pest control measures.

The statement said the neighbourhood is a "breeding area for rats and insects".

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