This is the astonishing moment a wild elephant causes traffic chaos after raiding passing trucks - to steal bundles of sugar cane.

The enormous beast was spotted after it wandered onto the busy highway in Chachoengsao, Thailand.

Wildlife officials arrived but were powerless to control the brazen male jumbo as it plundered passing lorries in search of the freshly collected crop.

The suitably full elephant finally trudged back off into the jungle two hours later at around 5pm having stopped more than 12 different vehicles, hungrily sniffing out the sweet treats.

Onlooker Arnie Banpho said: ''He was a big elephant so nobody was brave enough to get near him and push him back into the trees.

''Cars were driving very slowly passed him and there were big queues while they waited for him.''

Kovit Boonphanuk, Head of Wild Elephant Care at the Khao Ang Rue Nai mountains, said: ''The elephants in this area are friendly and never harm anyone. He only wanted some food.

''Truck drivers who use the road regularly are familiar with elephants and take extra care but this was an unusual occasion when the animal stopped many vehicles and would not leave.

''We would like to remind anyone who encounters elephants while in their vehicles to stay well back, do not use the car horn and do not shout at them.

''Let the elephants continue what they are doing, or they may become angry. Elephants often travel in herds and there may be others nearby.''

This is the astonishing moment a wild elephant causes traffic chaos after raiding passing trucks - to steal bundles of sugar cane.

The enormous beast was spotted after it wandered onto the busy highway in Chachoengsao, Thailand.

Wildlife officials arrived but were powerless to control the brazen male jumbo as it plundered passing lorries in search of the freshly collected crop.

The suitably full elephant finally trudged back off into the jungle two hours later at around 5pm having stopped more than 12 different vehicles, hungrily sniffing out the sweet treats.

Onlooker Arnie Banpho said: ''He was a big elephant so nobody was brave enough to get near him and push him back into the trees.

''Cars were driving very slowly passed him and there were big queues while they waited for him.''

Kovit Boonphanuk, Head of Wild Elephant Care at the Khao Ang Rue Nai mountains, said: ''The elephants in this area are friendly and never harm anyone. He only wanted some food.

''Truck drivers who use the road regularly are familiar with elephants and take extra care but this was an unusual occasion when the animal stopped many vehicles and would not leave.

''We would like to remind anyone who encounters elephants while in their vehicles to stay well back, do not use the car horn and do not shout at them.

''Let the elephants continue what they are doing, or they may become angry. Elephants often travel in herds and there may be others nearby.''