A vendor was severely injured when a rampaging elephant kicked him at a market in Thailand.

Krisada Chotisawai, 55, was walking behind the jumbo while it was being led by its mahout through the stalls in Suphanburi province on August 7.

The animal was carrying bananas and sugarcane to be sold at the market but was spooked by a loud noise, sending it on a rampage.

It struck Krisada with a powerful kick, then charged at him before being reined in by its handler. Terrified locals scattered away from the elephant and called the police for help.

Police Captain Nirun Thongparn from the Dan Chang Police Station said they received a report at 8 pm and arrived at the scene, where they found Krisada lying bloodied on the ground.

The hapless vendor was given first aid and was taken to the Danchang Hospital. He suffered a torn ear and a head concussion and was being closely monitored by doctors.

Police Captain Nirun said: 'Police officers have now gone to the area to find more evidence at the scene. We are hunting down the mahout and his elephant for prosecution, but he has not yet been found. He might have already fled the area.'

Police Colonel Tattep Lertlakmeephan, superintendent of the Dan Chang Police Station, said residents reported seeing the mahout escape with his elephant on a truck. However, they could not recall the truck's license plate and model.

He added: 'The locals mentioned that this particular elephant had been taken to various crowded markets by its mahout to sell food. We are now reviewing surveillance camera footage along potential escape routes. We are also coordinating with nearby police stations to aid in the search.'

In an update, the Danchang Hospital said Krisada's x-rays showed no abnormalities, though he was still experiencing dizziness. Staff said he will still need to be monitored at the hospital, but may be discharged soon.

As of 2023, there are an estimated 3,084-3,500 wild elephants in Thailand. The population has been increasing in recent years, but it is still a fraction of the estimated 300,000 wild elephants that lived in Thailand at the beginning of the 20th century. The main threats to wild elephants in Thailand are habitat loss and fragmentation, poaching, and conflict with humans.