03.02.2026 11:30
A 65-year-old tourist was killed in an attack by a wild elephant in Khao Yai National Park in Thailand. Authorities stated that the attack was carried out by a male elephant, which had previously killed two other people.
A terrible incident occurred in Thailand's Khao Yai National Park. A 65-year-old tourist lost his life after being attacked by a wild elephant during a morning walk. The incident happened in front of the man's wife.
Authorities stated that the attack was carried out by a male elephant named "Phlai Oyewan." The elephant quickly charged at tourist Jirathachai Jiraphatboonyathorn, grabbed him with its trunk, threw him to the ground, and stepped on him, causing severe injuries. Witnesses reported that the man died at the scene.
Fortunately, his wife managed to escape and called park officials to have the elephant removed. National park official Chaiya Huayhongthong explained that the elephant was in an extremely aggressive phase during the attack and had previously killed two other people. Huayhongthong confirmed that the deceased was the third person killed by Oyewan.
Authorities are investigating whether the elephant has caused other fatalities. Huayhongthong said, "We will meet on Friday to decide how to deal with this dangerous animal. We will likely relocate the elephant or try to change its behavior."
Unfortunately, this was the latest example of deaths caused by wild elephants. The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation in Thailand reported that over 220 people have lost their lives to wild elephants in recent years.
The number of wild elephants in Thailand increased from 334 in 2015 to nearly 800 last year. To control this increase, authorities are administering birth control vaccines to female elephants.
Similar tragedies have occurred in the past. In 2025, a 22-year-old Spanish tourist, Blanca Ojanguren García, was killed after being attacked by an elephant while washing it at an animal shelter. The elephant charged at García with its tusks, and despite being taken to the hospital, the young tourist could not be saved.
A few weeks ago, a 49-year-old female tourist was crushed to death by an elephant in Phu Kradueng National Park. Jiranan Panyaprasertying was chased by a wild elephant while hiking with a friend, tripped while trying to escape, and died after the elephant stepped on her head.
The unfortunate woman had written the following on social media a day before her death:
"When we arrived, my legs could barely move. I lost my courage when I saw the stairs, but the view from the top was breathtaking! It was my first hike in Phu Kradueng."