This is the moment a hungry wild elephant was found strolling in the middle of the road – checking every passing car for food.

The jumbo emerged from woodland and walked across the highway in Nakhon Ratchasima province, northern Thailand, on December 19.

It then proceeded to inspect the car of a woman parked on the side of the road as the driver started filming.

The woman was holding her breath when the wild animal strode past their vehicle while other incoming traffic also came to a halt.

She said: ''This was probably my most memorable trip. I was so scared but at the same time, excited. The elephant looked so beautiful up close.''

The male jumbo eventually left the car after checking out the vehicle with its trunk. The other motorists then pulled away slowly to avoid startling the beast, which trudged away into the jungle.

The elephant is the national animal of Thailand. 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).