A hapless Chinese tourist needed rescuing after driving his rented jeep onto a beach - but getting stuck in the wet sand.

The Far Eastern holidaymaker took the vehicle for a spin but went off the main roads to try and cruise along the seafront at sunrise on Sunday morning, March 3.

However, the off-road lime green jeep was no match for the elephants and the tires began sinking until the vehicle was firmly stuck on Kamala Beach in Phuket, Thailand.

He ended up pleading for help from locals, who said he had ignored warning signs and played loud music early in the morning.

Footage taken by a worried resident shows how the car remained stranded on the beach while awaiting authorities to remove it.

The filmer said: 'The tourist from China was on holiday and thought he could do whatever he wanted to. He disturbed everyone with the loud music and thought he could drive along the beach, which is not allowed.

'He became stuck and it serves him right. He was embarrassed because he had to ask for help.'

Rescue teams later arrived and towed the vehicle to safety before the tide came in. The tourist reportedly had to pay a fine to the rental store that had let him loose on the roads.