03.06.2025 12:33
A wild elephant entered a market near a national park in Thailand and ate snacks from the shelves. The elephant, which was chased away by the shop owner with a slingshot, caused damage worth one thousand Baht (approximately 1,200 TL) to the store.
A "Plai Biang Lek" elephant searching for food entered a market near Khao Yai National Park in Nakhon Ratchasima province, located in northeastern Thailand. Security camera footage showed the giant elephant, which barely fit into the store, eating snacks from the shelves for about 10 minutes.
MARKET OWNER CHASED IT WITH A SLINGSHOT
The market owner chased the giant elephant with a slingshot. After wandering around a neighboring house's garden for a while, the elephant left the area. The shop owner, Ploy, stated that elephants occasionally pass through the area, but this was the first time one entered a store to seek food.
THOUSAND BAHT DAMAGE
Ploy noted that there was approximately a thousand Baht (around 1,200 TL) in material damage in the store, adding that the elephant particularly ate rice crackers and chicken eggs.
FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED
It was reported that the elephant, recognized by national park officials and local residents, has lived in the same area for years, but this is the first time it has entered a store in search of food.
In Thailand, where the wild elephant population is estimated to be between 3,000 and 3,500, herds of elephants occasionally enter fields and gardens in residential areas to search for food. However, it has been recorded as a rare occurrence for a single elephant to enter a market during the daytime in a residential area.