Shoppers in Thailand experienced an unusual encounter when a 25-year-old male elephant decided to do some impromptu grocery shopping. The peckish pachyderm barged into a local shop on Monday, bypassing the checkout and heading straight for the snacks.

Aisles of Appetite

The elephant,seemingly unfazed by the confines of the store,proceeded to sample the local delicacies. His choices included sweet rice cakes and chicken eggs, a somewhat surprising selection according to the shopkeeper.

Despite getting momentarily wedged under the shop’s low ceiling, the steadfast diner continued his culinary quest. It appeared no obstacle could deter him from his mission to find the perfect treat.

Shopkeeper’s Surprise

Khamploy Gakaew, the shopkeeper, was understandably taken aback by her unusual customer.She managed to guide the wild animal out of her store, likely relieved to see him go.

Ms. Gakaew shared her experience:

This was the first time an elephant had visited the store. I hope he doesn’t come back.
Khamploy Gakaew, Shopkeeper

She also expressed concern about potential damage, stating, I was worried about the damage he could cause.

Describing the elephant’s snack selection, she noted, He ate sweet, crispy rice cakes and chicken eggs before walking out.

The shopkeeper also found the elephant’s preference for sweets a bit out of the ordinary: I was surprised to see it eating sweet food, as elephants usually search for something salty.

while elephant sightings aren’t entirely uncommon in the area, this particular incident was a first for Ms. Gakaew. We see elephants occasionally, and they will bother street food vendors for food. But this was unusual. she explained.