Four people were injured when an elephant went berserk during a festival in Thailand.

Dramatic footage shows terrified fairgoers fleeing when the jumbo named Plai Khan Kluay rampaged and attacked people during the Don Chedi Memorial and Red Cross Fair in Suphanburi province on January 21.

Officers said four people were injured and rushed to the Chao Phraya Yommarat Hospital.

The wounded were identified by authorities as Chuta Phancharoen, 58, Choo Muaendech, 78, Samrerng Sornkhun, 46, and Nachakorn Artpaet, 39.

Choo was taken to the ICU for a brain haemorrhage after she was struck in the head by Plai Khan Kluay's trunk. Chuta underwent surgery for a fractured right thigh, while Samrerng had a bruised liver and pulmonary contusion.

Meanwhile, Nachakorn was taken to the Don Chedi Hospital for minor injuries.

The Suphanburi Rescue Foundation said fairgoers were allegedly teasing Plai Khan Kluay's calf with food, causing her to go into a rampage.

Suphan Buri Governor Natthapat Suwanprateep said he has suspended the fair's elephant show, adding the animals were new performers that were inexperienced with crowds.

Meanwhile, Laithonglian Meephan, owner of the Elephant Palace and Royal Kraal tourist attraction, said the mahouts in charge were also inexperienced. He said: 'In addition to mahouts on the elephant's neck to guide it, there must also be mahouts on the ground.

'The mahouts keep people from approaching and calm the elephants so they are not spooked by loud sounds at the event, including music, performances and fireworks.'

Plai Khan Kluay and her calf were reported to have been sent back to Surin province where they were raised.

There are an estimated 4,000 elephants in captivity in Thailand. They work in the tourism industry or at festivals, religious events or weddings.

Animal rights groups continue to campaign against the use of captive elephants in religious events and tourist attractions but Thai nationals defend the practice as 'it is part of the country's culture'.