This is the adorable moment an itchy elephant scratched its back on a tree branch in northeastern Thailand.

The male jumbo had been foraging for food around the forest in Khao Yai national park in Nakhon Ratchasima province when it walked past the tree.

It had walked a few steps away from the tree but decided to return to scratch its back on the protruding branch.

The branch was perfect for the wild jumbo's height so it moved back and forth to scratch its itchy leather skin.

The elephant appeared to be satisfied with the scratch as it continued the back rubbing for several minutes.

Onlooker, Ple Srichai, who was visiting the park with his family, said the elephant had been roaming the area for three days when he saw it.

He said: "I was so moved by the cuteness of the elephant.

"He walked by the restaurant I was having lunch at. Then suddenly he stopped by the tree and began to rub its back. How adorable.

''It was strangely satisfying to see the elephant enjoying itself. He was in his own little world.''

An estimated 2,000 elephants are living in the wild in Thailand and a similar number in captivity. In the wild, they roam through deep jungle and in the country's protected national parks.

They are considered to be the country's 'national animal'.