Two fatal wild elephant attacks in the northeastern provinces of Khon Kaen and Loei have prompted an urgent response from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Suchart Chomklin, has extended his condolences to the victims’ families and directed the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) to provide immediate compensation and intensify protective measures.

Elephant Sparks Concern Near Terminal 21 Pattaya, Prompting Official Intervention

The first incident occurred on the evening of October 20, 2025, in the Samliang Forest near Ban Kut Nam Sai in Khon Kaen’s Phu Wiang district. A 50-year-old man, identified only as Mr. Prasit, was fatally attacked by a wild elephant. The tragedy took place outside a protected forest zone, even as DNP officers from Phu Wiang National Park were conducting monitoring and deterrent operations in the vicinity.

Shortly thereafter, a second fatal attack was reported in Loei province. A 62-year-old man, also named Mr. Prasit, was killed by a wild elephant outside the Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary. The two incidents, happening within hours of each other, have raised significant concerns about increasing wild elephant movement and human-wildlife conflict in the region.

In response to the tragedies, Deputy Prime Minister Suchart has instructed DNP Director-General Attapol Charoenchansa to disburse immediate financial assistance to the families of the deceased from the department’s 2025 central budget for wild elephant incident compensation. The DNP has now been tasked with intensifying surveillance and deterrence operations in high-risk zones. Local units have been ordered to conduct round-the-clock patrols and utilize modern equipment to track elephant movements and safely guide the animals back into forest conservation areas.

Elephants Cause Near-Miss Traffic Incident in Prachinburi

Authorities are also reinforcing cooperation between park officials and community leaders to educate residents in vulnerable areas on safety practices and precautionary measures when encountering wild elephants. These awareness campaigns aim to prevent further loss of life and mitigate the rising instances of human-elephant conflict.

-Thailand News (TN)