A 56-year-old man was killed by a wild elephant near Pa La-U after entering the forest to collect vegetables and forest products.
The man, identified as Mr Praphon, was an ethnic Karen Thai resident and the father of a Kaeng Krachan National Park official.
The Department of National Parks has been ordered to provide urgent assistance to the family and improve monitoring in areas used by local communities.
A man has been killed by a wild elephant near Pa La-U after entering a forest area in Kaeng Krachan National Park to collect vegetables and forest products, officials said.
The deceased was identified as Mr Praphon, 56, an ethnic Karen Thai resident and the father of an official working with Kaeng Krachan National Park.
Atthaphon Charoenchansa, Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, said on 9 May that he had received a report on the incident from Nitad Nunsong, Director of Conservation Area Administration Office 3, Phetchaburi branch, and Mongkol Chaipakdee, Chief of Kaeng Krachan National Park.
Officials from Kaeng Krachan National Park Protection Unit 3, Huai Pa Lao, were informed that a local resident had died inside the park area.
Mr Praphon was found in the Pha Daeng forest area of Huai Sat Yai subdistrict, Hua Hin district. Officials said he had been attacked by a wild elephant.
An initial investigation found that Mr Praphon had entered the forest to collect vegetables and other forest products, in line with the traditional way of life of local communities in the area.
Officials said the area is covered by permission under Section 65 of the National Parks Act B.E. 2562, which allows traditional communities to collect renewable seasonal natural resources in designated areas.
Mr Praphon left his home on 8 May to collect vegetables before he went missing. Relatives later went to search for him and found his body.
A preliminary post-mortem examination found that he had suffered serious chest injuries, believed to have been caused by the elephant attack and the force of impact.
Elephant monitoring measures to be reviewed
The incident was reported to Suchart Chomklin, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, who expressed condolences to the family and instructed the Department of National Parks to provide urgent assistance.
Mr Suchart also ordered Kaeng Krachan National Park officials to support the family with welfare assistance and funeral arrangements at Wat Pa La-U in Huai Sat Yai subdistrict.
A committee will be set up to consider financial assistance for the family under government regulations covering people affected by wild elephants.
Officials have also been instructed to prepare measures to monitor wild elephants in areas where local communities collect forest products, with the aim of improving safety for residents.