This is the terrifying moment an unruly wild elephant charged at a passing car in Thailand.

The annoyed jumbo reacted angrily to being disturbed while crossing a mountain road in Nakhon Ratchasima on Saturday (November 28).

Terrifying mobile phone footage from passenger Saengdao, 30, shows the beast turning on its heels and running straight at them.

Saengdao's husband, Avin, who was driving at the time with their young children in the back quickly reversed away from the elephant.

The male jumbo appeared to wave its trunk victoriously at the car while asserting its dominance and saying 'get away', before disappearing into nearby trees.

Saengdao said: ''We were having a family trip to go camping for one night. Then when we turned around a bend in the road there was a large elephant.

''At first, it seemed like he was turning away and was going back into the forest. Then suddenly it looked at us and ran towards our car. We had to reverse away quickly as it was so scary.''

The male jumbo was seen terrorising several cars along the same stretch of road throughout the day. It is believed to become aggressive while searching for a female to mate with.

An estimated 2,000 elephants are living in the wild in Thailand and a similar number in captivity. Male Asian elephants are rarely part of the herds and they roam alone through the deep jungle.

There is a conflict when they come in contact with humans who also use the area of farming and gathering food.

Elephants are a protected animal in Thailand and killing them carries a maximum prison term of up to three years and a fine of 1,000 baht (25GBP).