Tourist killed by wild elephant at Khao Yai, third fatal case linked to same bull

2026-02-02 - 05:36

NAKHON RATCHASIMA — A wild elephant from Khao Yai National Park killed a 69-year-old tourist at a park campsite early on 2 February 2026, marking the third fatal attack linked to the same bull, authorities said. The incident occurred at about 05:30 at the campsite of the Khlong Pla Kang ranger unit in Wang Nam Khiao district. The victim, identified as Jiratchai Jiraphatboonyathorn, a Lopburi resident, had been camping in the area and went out for a morning walk when he encountered a wild bull elephant known as Plai Oi Wan, which had wandered outside the park. Officials said the elephant attacked the man with its trunk before trampling him, killing him about 20 metres from his tent. Other campers witnessed the attack but did not leave their tents out of fear of being harmed. Park rangers and police from Wang Nam Khiao police station later arrived at the scene and drove the elephant away. Doctors from Wang Nam Khiao Hospital and rescue workers examined the body. Khao Yai National Park officials said Plai Oi Wan was in musth and had previously killed two other people. The latest incident is the third fatality attributed to the same elephant. Pol. Col. Weerapol Rabiappho, chief of Wang Nam Khiao police station, said police would discuss the situation with the head of Khao Yai National Park to consider measures such as pushing the elephant away from communities or relocating it for behavioural management, warning that leaving the situation unresolved could pose further danger to the public.