A wild elephant plagued by a tusk infection rampaged through a canteen where children's activities were being held in central Thailand.

The distressed jumbo named Plai Deaw Lek walked into the Khao Yai cafeteria on March 19, startling tourists who were visiting the Khao Yai national park.

It wandered through the area listlessly while staff tried to lure it back into woodland. Tourist protection officers advised motorists not to drive too close to avoid spooking the already-stressed animal.

Khao Yai rangers, veterinarians and volunteers later approached the elephant to administer medicine to its inflamed tusk, which reportedly emitted a foul odour. They also applied insect repellents to prevent bugs from pestering the jumbo.

Plai Deaw Lek did not cause any damage and eventually walked back into the forest after receiving treatment.

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).