SINGAPORE: A grocery store in north-eastern Thailand had a larger-than-life freeloader – a wild elephant who casually strolled in to snack on some sweet treats before making an exit.

The male elephant, named Plai Biang Lek, is well-known among locals near Khao Yai national park – about 200km from Bangkok – for his habit of venturing into nearby human settlements.

He had previously wondered into a nearby village and raided a small eatery for food.

However, his latest intrusion on Monday (June 2) marks the first time he has entered a grocery store.

Videos and pictures on social media showed the elephant inside the packed store, munching on snacks while his head and body brushed against the ceiling. After satisfying his craving, he strolled out.

The shop owner, known as Ploy, told Thai media that she was serving customers when the elephant ambled into the shop at 3pm that day, causing people to flee for their safety.

She contacted officers from the national park, who arrived and tried to shoo it away.

Undeterred, the elephant continued to look for food and scoffed down sweet, crispy Thai snacks and chicken eggs, reported Thai daily Khaosod English.

His snack selection was interesting, the newspaper said, as elephants usually prefer salty food when raiding human settlements.

The report added that the shop owner suffered 1,000 baht (US$31) in damage. - The Straits Times/ANN