This is the spectacular moment a huge elephant emerged from the jungle - before walking along a mountain road.

The jumbo sparked panic when it trudged out of the forest onto the two-lane road in Nakhon Ratchasima, northern Thailand, on December 17.

Incredibly, the beast had better road manners than many of the motorists and kept inside the single left-hand lane.

Passing drivers looked on nervously as the elephant stopped alongside a white Toyota pickup truck and began probing with its trunk.

However, the motorist remained calm and gently pulled away before the adult male elephant disappeared into nearby bushes.

The photographer who recorded the video said that wildlife officers are monitoring the movement of the elephant, named Brother Yo, to ensure it doesn't cause any problems on roads.

He said: ''It was almost a disaster when Brother Yo came onto the road as there were so many motorcycles around. I was fortunate to see him. Please believe the officials when they warn people to be careful of elephants.''

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).