A thirsty elephant raided a Buddhist temple for a late-night drink amid severe drought.

The 26-year-old jumbo wandered into the grounds of the religious building in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, in search of water.

Footage shows the tusker from Khao Yai National Park ambling along the road while monks and volunteers attempt to shoo it away in the early hours of April 2.

However, the beast continued walking towards the 2,000 litre water tank and used its trunk to drink from it, nearly finishing the water.

The elephant, named Nga Biang Lek, then tried to open another container but was unable to remove the lid.

Eventually, the residents managed to lead the animal out of the temple, watching as it crossed Thanaratch Road and made its way back into the park.

Local media reported that Nga Biang Lek had previously foraged around nearby homes, rummaging through villagers' kitchens, which resulted in broken windows, damaged louvre panes, and ruined household items.

Officials said that wild elephants have been raiding homes and consuming all available food, leaving nothing behind. Several villages in Moo Si Subdistrict have been severely affected, yet no government agency has taken serious action to resolve the issue.

Elephants are known for their voracious appetite. The World Wildlife Federation (WWF) found they need to eat up to 150kg of food per day - the equivalent of 375 tins of baked beans

Conservationists in Thailand say that wild elephants - up to 3,500 of them - have even developed a taste for human food and prefer to rummage through homes and vehicles for snacks, instead of the bland leaves they find in the forest.

The province has been experiencing severe drought since last year, with reservoir levels continuing to decline. In response, authorities have introduced measures such as urging residents to conserve water and considering a halt to off-season rice farming to prioritise essential use.