A elephant scratched its itchy face by rubbing a stick on its face.

Footage shows the 55-year-old jumbo Phang Yai Kham Kaew gripping a twig with its trunk and gently pressing it against its cheek in Surat Thani, Thailand.

Phang Yai Kham Kaew wiggled the stick against its skin with eyes closed in relief.

The elephant was taken by caretakers to the forest to play when it picked up the twig on January 17.

Ongart Sotiya said: 'We treat Phang Yai Kham as our baby. We took the elephant to the forest to relax in the forest at that time.'

Elephants are Thailand's national animal and an important part of Its culture and history. In the past, they were used for farming, logging, and even fighting wars.

Some elephants still live in the wild, but many are in captivity, working in tourism or living in sanctuaries. Because logging was banned and tourism has changed, many elephants are now kept in sanctuaries where they are protected and cared for.