NAKHON RATCHASIMA — 8 September 2026, A wild elephant known locally as “Biang Lek” left Khao Yai National Park and wandered through a community near the park on Monday evening, passing a karaoke venue and several restaurants.
The bull elephant was spotted at about 19:00 along Thanarat Road near kilometre marker 18 in Moo Si subdistrict, Pak Chong district. National park officers and volunteer elephant-response teams followed the animal, managed traffic and kept vehicles at a safe distance.
Biang Lek is well known to residents of Moo Si, who have given him several nicknames because he periodically leaves the park to search for food around restaurants and residential areas.
In a separate incident, CCTV footage recorded two wild elephants walking through the same area at about 02:00 on Tuesday. One was seen carrying a plastic bag in its mouth after using its trunk to search for food in rubbish bins.
The sightings highlight the continuing issue of wild elephants entering communities around Khao Yai, particularly at night. Authorities urged residents and visitors not to approach or attempt to photograph elephants at close range, and not to try to chase them away. Anyone who sees a wild elephant should keep a safe distance and alert officials.
