KANCHANABURI — 20 May 2026, A car collided with a wild elephant and burst into flames on a major highway in Kanchanaburi province, killing a 70-year-old man and injuring two others, police said.
On Wednesday, Deputy Inspector of Investigation, Latya Police Station, revealed that the accident was reported on Highway 323 inbound to Mueang Kanchanaburi District in Moo 9, Wang Dong Sub-district, Mueang District, Kanchanaburi Province at approximately 21:00 on Tuesday. Emergency responders quickly responded to the scene, including a medical team from Paholpolpayuhasena Hospital, forensics units, Salakpra Wildlife Sanctuary officials, and Pitak Kan Foundation rescue workers.
Despite numerous streetlights, the crash site remained poorly lit. Authorities arrived to find a Toyota Corolla with Kanchanaburi registration on the shoulder. The front of the vehicle was completely destroyed by the impact, and the fire rapidly spread from the crushed engine bay through the passenger cabin. Firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze before the inspection took place.
70-year-old passenger, Chukiat (surname withheld), was found dead in the front seat. Following the initial on-scene medical examination, his body was transferred to Phaholpolpayuhasena Hospital.
Moreover, two others sustained injuries: the driver, Charn, 64, and a rear-seat passenger, Supanutt, 74 (both surnames withheld). The damaged vehicle was later towed and secured at the Lat Ya Police Station for further inspection.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the vehicle driven by Charn was traveling down Highway 323 from Sai Yok District toward downtown Kanchanaburi. Upon reaching the accident site, where it was pitch dark, an unspecified number of wild elephants from the nearby Salakpra Wildlife Sanctuary made their way onto the highway.
The elephant had wandered out of the protected forest, swam across the Khwae Yai River, and walked up onto the road where the collision occurred in search of food. While the car was completely totaled by the impact, the condition of the elephant following the crash remains unclear.
Vehicle collisions with wild elephants are common on Highway 3199, which connects Kanchanaburi to Si Sawat, but this tragic incident marks the first time in recorded history that such an accident has occurred on Highway 323.
