A schoolgirl who was excited to see elephants on a field trip walked to school eight hours early in the middle of the night before being returned by rescuers to her parents.

The eight-year-old pupil Nam Surichai woke up a little before midnight and thought it was morning in Buriram province, Thailand, on September 8.

She lives 1.86 miles (3 kilometres) away from school and began her journey as the youngster said was afraid to be late - until worried residents saw her and called the rescuers to check on her.

Footage shows Nam sitting on a chair at the petrol station where she was brought by good Samaritans as a rescue officer talked to her. She was carrying a bag with packed food and water when concerned residents spotted her.

Paramedic Kunanon Tul, who is seen in the video, said: 'People called Nangrong Police Station when they saw the girl walking alone at night and was taken to the petrol station where we fetched her. We took her back to their home and asked the mother not to punish her.'

Nam told the officer she was excited about the field trip to Surin province, where she would see elephants for the first time.

She said: ‘I am scared of being late and the bus might leave me.'

The girl had walked 1.24 miles (2 kilometres) when the onlookers saw her, and the rescuers returned her to her mother, who was unaware that her daughter had already left.

Mother Kanokporn Khumchumsang, 29, said: ‘I told her to sleep early, but I did not know she would leave in the middle of the night. I am thankful for the rescuers and people who informed officers about my child.'

In the morning, Nam went to school and joined the field trip, where she finally saw elephants for the first time.