Local park rangers reported that the attack occurred around 5:30 h on 2/2 at the Kho Yor 4 conservation unit's campsite within Khao Yai National Park, Thailand.

Police and rescue forces inspect the body of a tourist attacked by an elephant at Khao Yai National Park on 2/2. Photo: Prasit Tangprasert.

The victim, a 65-year-old Thai male tourist from Lopburi province, was taking a morning stroll with his wife when he was attacked and trampled to death by a male elephant named Phlai Oyewan. Chaiya Huayhongthong, director of Khao Yai National Park, stated that the wife escaped unharmed as park rangers swiftly drove the elephant away.

"This is the third victim killed by Oyewan," Chaiya said, adding that this particular elephant individual might be linked to other unexplained fatalities. According to him, authorities will convene on 6/2 to discuss measures, which may include relocating the elephant or implementing methods to alter its behavior.

Statistics from Thailand's Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation show that more than 220 people, including tourists, have died from wild elephant attacks since 2012.

Elephant Phlai Oiwan at Khao Yai National Park, Thailand. Photo: Prasit Tangprasert.

Concurrently, the wild elephant population in Thailand has grown rapidly, from 334 individuals in 2015 to nearly 800 individuals last year. In response, authorities have begun administering contraceptive vaccines to female elephants to control the rate of population growth.

Previously, in 1/2025, a Spanish tourist died while bathing an elephant at a sanctuary in southern Thailand. In 12/2024, another tourist was killed by an elephant at a national park in Loei province, in the northern part of the country.

Fatal elephant attacks have also been recorded in other countries recently. Last month, Indian officials reported that a wild elephant killed at least 20 people and injured 15 in the forests of Jharkhand state. In 7/2025, two women from the UK and New Zealand died after a female elephant charged and attacked them in South Luangwa National Park, eastern Zambia. In 4/2025, Kenya reported the death of a 54-year-old man due to an elephant attack in the central region of the country.

A view of Khao Yai National Park. Photo: Khao Yai National Park

Khao Yai is one of Thailand's oldest and most famous nature reserves, located about three hours' drive from Bangkok. Established in 1962, it is the country's first national park and part of the Dong Phayayen - Khao Yai forest complex, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The reserve spans several central Thai provinces, featuring tropical rainforests, waterfalls, grasslands, and a rich array of flora and fauna. It is known for species such as Asian elephants, gaurs, deer, gibbons, and many rare birds. Wild elephants often appear in the early morning or late afternoon, particularly near roads and campsites, making the area both attractive to tourists and potentially risky if safety regulations are not strictly followed.

Tuan Anh (According to AFP, Bangkok Post)