An adorable African elephant cooled off by being sprayed with a hosepipe as temperatures soared to 38 degrees Celsius in Thailand.

Staff at the Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo brought water trucks to douse the female jumbo named Nong Sima on Thursday, April 27.

Footage shows the elephant relishing the blast of cool water from a hose - a brief reprieve from the blistering tropical heat, which saw the hottest day of the year so far.

Thanachon Kensing, director of the Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo, said staff are closely monitoring the animals as the hot weather may cause them to become sick or irritable, especially the larger ones that have to be kept outdoors and are exposed to the sun.

He said: 'There will be activities to cool down for different animals such as African elephants, white rhinos, and hippos. Officers will bathe them with water every day at around noon to 1:00 pm because that is when the weather becomes very hot.'

The zookeeper added that a water sprinkler has been installed inside the zoo's giraffe enclosure, allowing them to cool off anytime.

Thanachon said they are also planning to open a new Watusi cattle exhibition zone to showcase the rare breed of long-horned cow which they have imported from the Khon Kaen Zoo.

The Meteorological Department of Thailand said temperatures in the capital Bangkok would vary on Wednesday between 36 and 39 degrees Celsius, but cloud cover would help it to feel cooler.

Officials recorded the hottest ever day in Thailand on April 28, 2016, in Mae Hong Son province when the temperature reached 44.6 degrees Celsius.