A villager has been killed by a wild elephant in Sam Roi Yot after going out to help drive elephants away from a local community, officials said.
Bamrungrat Ploydam, chief of Kui Buri National Park, said the man, identified as Mr Siam with his surname withheld, had been reported missing after relatives lost contact with him on the evening of 12 August.
Park rangers, local officials, the village headman and residents launched a search near Ban Wang Sai in Rai Mai subdistrict, starting from an area where noise-making firecrackers used to deter elephants had been heard.
The search team found Mr Siam’s body at around 2.30pm on 13 August.
Officials said initial evidence suggested he had been attacked by a wild elephant. He suffered several injuries, including a broken right arm and a large wound to his left foot. Broken trees and numerous elephant footprints were also found nearby.
Investigators believe Mr Siam had entered an elephant trail to repair a damaged rope connected to a noise-making device used to warn of and deter elephants when an elephant ran towards him.
His body was taken to Sam Roi Yot Hospital for a post-mortem examination before being released to his family for religious rites at Wat Sam Roi Yot.
Support ordered after Kui Buri wild elephant attack
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin expressed his condolences and ordered officials to provide the family with urgent assistance.
He said the incident highlighted the risks faced by communities living and working close to wild elephant habitats.
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation was instructed to assist the family with coordination, administrative matters and compensation available under government regulations.