PRACHINBURI — 2 May 2026, Two wild elephants in Thap Lan National Park trampled a park volunteer to death while he was on patrol, officials said, in an attack believed to have been triggered when a dog startled the animals as they rested.
The incident occurred at about 18:00 on 2 May in a bamboo forest on the edge of a national reserve bordering rubber plantations in Na Di district, according to park authorities. The body was found later that evening with severe trauma.
Yosawat Thiansawat, director of Conservation Area Administration Office 1 (Prachinburi), said he was informed by Thap Lan National Park chief Prawattisat Chanthep that a rapid-response team monitoring and driving back wild elephants had reported the fatal attack.
District chief Somjai Phutthasena, police investigator Lt. Col. Alongkorn Phukhama and rescue workers from the Sajja Phutthatham Foundation rushed to the scene in Ban Khlong Din Daeng, Thung Pho subdistrict.
Officials identified the victim as Thirachai Ngamsan, 53, a member of the national park volunteer protection unit. He was found lying on his back with his arms and legs deformed from heavy impact. Numerous elephant footprints were scattered around the area. A shoulder bag, radio, hat and two water bottles believed to belong to the victim were found nearby.
The victim’s wife, Somporn Basala, 43, said her husband had left home early in the morning to tap rubber and had not returned by 15:00, prompting her to search for him. She found his body at about 16:00 and alerted neighbours and authorities.
Local elephant monitoring officials said evidence at the scene indicated the presence of two elephants, including signs they had been lying down. They believe the victim approached the resting animals during a patrol, accompanied by a dog. The dog reportedly barked, startling and angering the elephants, which then charged and fatally attacked him.
Park chief Prawattisat said the park extends condolences to the victim’s family and will provide assistance in line with regulations of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. The body has been sent to Na Di Hospital for an autopsy before being returned to relatives for religious rites.
