A lonely elephant was found chained up alone at a resort in Thailand.

The 50-year-old bull spends its days tied up in a concrete yard a short walk from a floating raft hotel on the River Kwai in Kanchanaburi.

Resort bosses market the elephant, named Bambi, as an attraction for guests. Visitors can pay to feed the elephant fruit.

Footage shows how the animal is left standing in its own mess and unable to walk freely because of the chains around its ankles.

It appeared to be underweight and stressed, rocking from side to side.

Managers of the resort denied that the elephant was neglected. They said it was 'cared for every day and fed well'.

The manager, who did not want to be named, said: 'We love the elephant and our guests love him. We take care of him every day and he has a lot of food. There are many people working here and many guests, so he's not lonely.'

Animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) have previously slammed such cases of elephants being used in the country's tourism industry.

Vice President Jason Barker said: 'Elephants used in the tourism industry are often taken from their homes and frantic families when only babies.

'These traumatized animals are regularly beaten into submission with metal-tipped bullhooks so that they can be forced to give rides or perform ridiculous tricks for tourists. PETA reminds the public to steer clear of any attraction that uses elephants or any animal.'