This is the terrifying moment an elephant spooked by fireworks ran amok at a music festival in Thailand.

The calf had been trotted out to tastelessly perform tricks when fireworks were launched at the event in Khon Kaen province on January 9 evening.

Footage shows locals fleeing as the jumbo startled by the explosions bolted across the venue. It was seen cowering near the corner of the stage as more fireworks blasted into the sky.

The mahout later arrived to calm the baby elephant.

Elephants are the national animal of Thailand and currently, there are around 4,000 in captivity and a similar number in the wild. They have played roles in warfare, royal and religious ceremonies, and local livelihoods, making them a revered part of Thai culture.

Though the creatures are usually harmless, there have been several fatal elephant attacks in recent weeks.

On January 3, Spanish tourist Blanca Ojanguren Garcia, 22, was struck by an elephant she was bathing at the Koh Yao Elephant Care centre in Phang Nga province. She reportedly slipped and accidentally grabbed its trunk, causing the animal to smash her against the rocky pool.

On December 15, farmer Thodsaporn Phiananukulbut, 45, was fishing at a canal when a bull emerged from the nearby sugarcane field and trampled him to death in Prachinburi province.

Animal rights groups have made repeated calls to ban the use of elephants in the tourism, entertainment and religious and industries but benighted locals ar in favour of abusing elephants as it is 'part of their culture'.