Concern over jumbo attacks in Chanthaburi

A 54-year-old man was trampled to death by a wild elephant in Chanthaburi, in the fifth such case this month.

The incident took place near Klong Hang Maew catchment project in tambon Khun Song of Khaeng Hang Maew district on Saturday, Pol Capt Kritsakorn Kamolphob, deputy inspector of Khaeng Hang Maew police, said yesterday.

Police named the man, whose body was found in the forest with multiple fractures and torn clothes, as Norawit Chaidam, from Chon Buri.

Police assumed the man was repeatedly stomped by the elephant and sent the body for an autopsy. Two wild elephants were seen roaming around the site.

Boonmee Sukprasert, 61, the man’s relative, told police that he and Norawit and another two friends came from Chon Buri to collect reed flowers to make brooms for sale.

At one point, Norawit suddenly cried out, prompting everyone to run from the area. But only Norawit failed to make it out of the forest, so the three asked for help from dam officials, before returning and finding the man’s body.

A report from Chanthaburi Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office showed there have been eight deaths, one injury and one destroyed house since the start of the year, stemming from attacks by wild elephants. That’s in addition to crop damage which has yet to be tallied up.

With five villagers having been killed by elephants this month, the province is now warning people to stay away from the animals as it is now the animal’s mating season, which often causes erratic behaviour.

People can contact state agencies via the 1362 hotline to report any elephants which wander from their designated area.