Third death sparks talks over Khao Yai’s ‘Plai Oi Wan’

Khao Yai National Park officials have been instructed to meet urgently to determine how to manage a wild male elephant responsible for killing a 65-year-old man yesterday, the third fatality linked to the same animal.

Atthapol Charoenchansa, Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, said he has instructed Chaiya Huayhongtong, chief of Khao Yai National Park, to convene an emergency meeting of the park’s advisory committee, along with local community representatives, to decide on appropriate measures to deal with the elephant, known as ‘Plai Oi Wan’ (sweet sugarcane).

The elephant fatally attacked a tourist exercising near the Klong Pla Kung Forest Protection Unit in Wang Nam Khiao district, Nakhon Ratchasima province. According to officials, the incident occurred early in the morning while the victim was jogging with his wife.

She managed to escape, but the man was unable to flee and died at the scene.

Atthapol said the committee will consider whether the elephant should be taken into custody for behavioural rehabilitation.

If approved, the animal could be transferred to a specially prepared elephant rehabilitation enclosure operated by the Department of National Parks in Chanthaburi province. Consent from provincial authorities would, however, be required before the relocation.

“If the province agrees, the elephant can be moved for behavioural adjustment and later returned to Khao Yai National Park,” Atthapol said.

If relocation is rejected, authorities will enforce intensified monitoring measures instead, including restricting access to high-risk areas and establishing control lines to prevent the elephant from approaching nearby communities, in order to reduce risks to the public and tourists.

Atthapol expressed concern that the elephant has a history of fatal attacks, noting that elephants can learn violent behaviour and may repeat it, posing an ongoing danger to both humans and the animal itself.

While acknowledging that some groups may oppose rehabilitation or relocation, he stressed the need for a balanced and collective solution.

Park officials have since increased safety measures in high-risk zones and are working closely with local networks to monitor wild elephant behaviour.

The public and tourists have been urged to avoid approaching wild elephants, refrain from provoking or feeding them and immediately notify authorities if elephants are spotted.

Officials also warned that, during the dry season, wild elephants frequently leave forest areas in search of food, increasing the likelihood of encounters near communities and on tourist routes.

Visitors are advised to strictly follow park safety guidelines to prevent further incidents.