LOEI — In an unprecedented incident at Thailand’s Phu Kradueng National Park, a wild elephant attacked and killed a tourist, prompting immediate safety measures and an investigation by park authorities.
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) Director-General Attapon Charoenchansa has ordered the closure of high-risk areas following the tragic event. “We will only keep areas that are 100% safe open to visitors,” stated Charoenchansa.
The incident occurred at 9:47 a.m. on December 11, when park officials received an emergency call reporting an elephant attack near the Buddha Metta statue on the trail to Phen waterfall, behind Wang Kwang Visitor Center. The victim was identified as Ms. Jeeranun, a 49-year-old woman from Chachoengsao Province who had traveled from Bangkok.
Phu Kradueng National Park stands as one of Thailand’s most beloved destinations among domestic tourists, drawing visitors with its distinctive highland landscape and cool climate. Nestled in the northeastern province of Loei, the park remains something of a hidden gem to international travelers due to its remote location off the typical tourist trail.
The trails may occasionally be closed for visitors if elephant activity is seen in the area. However, prior to this incident, there had never been a fatal elephant attack on any person in Phu Kradueng National Park.
“This is the first recorded incident of an elephant attack on a tourist in this area,” confirmed local police officials who investigated the scene. The tragedy has led to immediate preventive measures, including the temporary closure of waterfall trails and increased ranger patrols in high-risk areas.
The DNP has implemented several safety protocols:
- Closure of all trails where wild elephants have been spotted
- Deployment of additional rangers for surveillance
- Temporary closure of waterfall routes while maintaining access to regular nature trails
- Enhanced monitoring of risk-prone areas
“We express our deepest condolences to the victim’s family,” said a DNP spokesperson. The department has established a special committee to investigate the circumstances leading to this tragic incident and will provide full support to the deceased’s family.
Recently, Kaeng Krachan National Park Chief Mongkol Chaiyaphakdee has issued an important seasonal alert for park visitors. During the winter months from November through February, wild elephants are particularly active as this coincides with their musth period.
Park authorities advise visitors to:
- Keep at least 50 meters away from any elephants
- Make noise while hiking to alert elephants of human presence
- Watch for signs of elephants nearby, including broken branches and distinct scents
This safety reminder comes as elephants frequently cross park roads during this season, requiring extra vigilance from both hikers and drivers in the area.
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