This is the scary moment a hungry wild elephant smashed through a family's garden wall to eat pieces of fruit in Thailand.

Footage shows the jumbo named Plai Bian Yai approaching the residence in Nakhon Ratchasima province in search of food on November 2.

The 30-year-old creature spotted a papaya tree just out of reach of its trunk. To get a hold of its tasty prize, the clever giant knocked down a slab of the fence before having its fill.

Villagers said it was not the first time wild elephants in the area have damaged their property. They have urged authorities to monitor the animals' behaviour to prevent further conflict with the elephants.

Thailand has an estimated 2,000 Asian elephants living in the wild where they wander freely among protect forests. However, there is often conflict when they come into contact with humans on roads and in villages.

A similar number of elephants are kept in captivity where they work in the tourist industry or get hired out for religious festivals and weddings.