Khao Luang park closes waterfall route after elephant attack

The Khao Luang National Park, in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat, has ordered the temporary closure of the Krung Ching Waterfall and trekking route after two female tourists were attacked by wild elephants on Sunday.

Atthaphon Charoenchansa, director-general of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, said today that he received a report about the elephant attack yesterday from Surasak Anusorn, director of Conservation Area Region 5.

The incident took place at about 9.30am as four tourists were trekking along a jungle route towards the Krung Ching Waterfall in Khao Luang National Park. They heard the sound of breaking tree branches and the trumpeting of elephants and decided to retreat.

One of the elephants suddenly emerged from the bushes, forcing them to run. Two managed to take cover behind a large tree, but the other two failed to escape and were attacked by a total of three elephants.

Atthaphon said that one of the elephants used its trunk to grab one tourist and throw her against a tree.

At about 10.20am, a team of park rangers patrolling the surrounding area for elephants came to the rescue. They managed to distract the elephants and drive them away from the scene before approaching the two injured tourists.

All four tourists were escorted out of the park and the injured women were rushed to Nop Pitao Hospital. One of the injured tourists, identified only as “Patcharaporn”, sustained injuries to her back and legs and was later transferred to Tha Sala District Hospital for treatment.

Haruchai Ritthichuai, chief of the park, said that more warning signs will be erected along the trekking routes advising tourists not to stray from designated paths and explaining how to protect themselves if confronted by an elephant.

He also said that more patrol units will be deployed to monitor elephant movements and guide the animals deeper back into the jungle.