Hungry Elephant Raids Thai Store for Snacks, Leaves With Treats Worth $25

In a surprising and humorous moment caught on camera, an elephant in Thailand wandered into a local grocery store in search of a snack — and helped itself to a hefty haul.

The incident happened near a national park where the elephant is known to roam. Video footage shows the massive animal casually strolling into the store, much to the amazement of staff, who could only watch as it rummaged through shelves. The elephant reportedly grabbed nine bags of sweet rice crackers, a sandwich, and some bananas before rangers coaxed it back outside.

Locals say the elephant is a familiar visitor in the area and has been spotted before snooping around homes for food. However, this was the first time the animal decided to “shop” at a store. Given the success of its snack run, it might not be the last.

Thailand is home to an estimated 4,000 wild elephants. As natural habitats are increasingly lost to farming and development, encounters like this are becoming more common, with elephants venturing into human-populated areas in search of food.

Park rangers were eventually able to guide the elephant out safely, and no one was harmed during the unusual visit. The total cost of the stolen snacks came to about $25 — a small price for such an unforgettable customer.

As the clip made rounds online, viewers were charmed by the elephant’s boldness and appetite, turning a typical shopping day into a viral wildlife encounter.