A wild elephant destroyed a wall to invade a village in Thailand.

The jumbo, which was reportedly followed by two more creatures, entered the community by crossing a busy road and ignoring vehicles in Prachinburi province on January 2.

The wandering animals left a trail of damage including concrete walls, fences, and trampled on rice paddies so they could search for more food in the village.

Footage shows one of the elephants spotted walking along the fields. Its track revealed the broken-down structures.

Resident Saroj Siltham, 44, said: 'I was working before I heard the sound of the elephant walking across the wall. I knew it was a wild elephant so I escaped into my car.

'It even took a dump before it went into the swamp and escaped into the forest.'

A local official warned the villagers to take care as the elephants roamed separately to find food.

Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary staff went to guide the elephant Chao Toon back to the forest. During the operation, residents and drivers were asked to stay inside and avoid the area.

They used a drone and found the elephant on the field. They set firecrackers to chase the elephant out. However, the elephant rushed in their direction so they had to escape.

The team tried to drive the elephant out again but the elephant broke another wall and ran away.

Around 8.30 pm, the staff were joined by Kabinburi Police Station to close the road and let the elephant cross back.

However, the elephant panicked and walked back as the road was crowded due to the New Year Festival.

The staff expected the elephant to hide until the road was clear so they planned to chase him out the day after. It later emerged that Chao Toon had already crossed the road back the same night.

Thailand has an estimated 2,000 Asian elephants living in the wild where they wander freely among protected forests. Male Asian elephants, unlike African elephants, roam alone once they are over 10 years old while females remain with the herd.

There is sometimes conflict when they come into contact with humans on roads and in villages so wildlife rangers are tasked with monitoring their movements.

A similar number of elephants in the country are also kept in captivity to work in the tourist industry or at religious festivals and weddings. A small number still work in commercial logging.