An elephant was seen taking a stroll in a national park in Thailand on December 10.

Tourist Pakawat Thamprateep recorded the gentle giant walking in the middle of a road in Khao Yai national park, Nakhon Ratchasima province. A herd of elephants further along the road was also seen crossing the path while motorists stopped to give way.

Pakawat said: 'I want to share my thrilling experience so everyone can see how exciting it is when a local elephant comes out to say hello.'

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).