A strolling wild elephant towered over passing cars on a forest road in Thailand.

Footage shows the gigantic creature named Plai Boon Chuay walking next to vehicles caught in a traffic jam in Phetchaburi province on December 5.

When Plai Boon Chuay emerged from the woods, the motorists were asked to stop to avoid scaring the animal and were stuck on the route.

However, driver Jaroen Lokruam said the elephant was gentle and the park rangers immediately responded.

Jaroen said: ‘The elephant was not aggressive. It even appeared to greet us while it was walking alongside us.'

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.