An elephant sparked panic after wandering along a village road while searching for food in Thailand.

The bull, named Plai Krae, emerged from the forest and ventured into the residential area of Nakhon Ratchasima on March 7. He was 15km away from the nearest area of woodland.

Adisak Phusitwongsanuyut, a ranger from the Khao Yai National Park, said: ‘Elephants from the park often search for food outside. Wildlife staff have to follow them to ensure they are not putting people or themselves in danger.'

The park chief told residents not to panic or scare the elephant but instead to inform rangers so the jumbos can be herded back to the forest.

They eventually succeeded in driving the elephant back to its natural habitat.

Elephants are the national animal of Thailand. An estimated 2,000 elephants are living in the wild and a similar number in captivity.

In the wild, they roam through the deep jungle and in the country’s protected national parks but often encounter humans on roads and in villages. However, they are protected by laws and killing them carries a maximum prison term of up to three years and a fine of 1,000 baht (25GBP).