NAKHON RATCHASIMA – A 69-year-old camper was killed early Monday morning, February 2, 2026, after a wild bull elephant attacked at a campground inside Khao Yai National Park.
The elephant, widely known for aggressive behavior and identified as Plai Oi Wan, has been linked to three confirmed human deaths. The latest incident has raised fresh concerns about safety in one of Thailand’s most visited national parks.
The victim was named Jirathachai Jiraphatboonyathorn, 69. He was from Muang district, Lop Buri province. He had camped with friends and his wife at the Kho Yor 4 (Khlong Pla Kang) conservation unit campground in tambon Wang Mee, Wang Nam Khieo district.
At about 5:30 a.m., around first light, Mr. Jirathachai stepped outside near the tent for a walk or light exercise. Witnesses, including his wife and nearby campers, said the elephant charged without warning.
Park staff and reports from the scene said the bull, believed to be in musth (a period in male elephants tied to high testosterone and increased aggression), rushed at him, grabbed him with its trunk, threw him to the ground, then trampled him several times.
The attack happened fast. He died at the scene, about 20 meters from the tent.
People in nearby tents stayed inside, too afraid to intervene. Rangers later drove the elephant away, which allowed the victim’s wife to get to safety. No one else was hurt.
Elephant Blamed for Several Deaths
Park chief Chaiya Huayhongthong confirmed that Plai Oi Wan, the Bull elephant, often moves near the park’s edges and has been blamed for the deaths of two residents in earlier cases. Officials are now preparing to relocate the elephant to reduce the risk of more attacks.
Some sources have also suggested the animal may be tied to other deaths that are unreported or still under review.
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has increased patrols and issued new warnings, reminding visitors to keep a safe distance from wild animals, especially in the dry season when elephants come closer to people while looking for food and water.
Khao Yai National Park, Thailand’s first national park and part of the UNESCO-listed Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex, has faced repeated human-elephant conflict for years.
In 2021, an 80-year-old camper named Prayote Jitboon was trampled to death at the Pha Kluai Mai campsite by another bull elephant, Chao Due. That case led to temporary campsite closures. Other incidents have included elephants damaging vehicles and chasing tourists, including reports from 2015, showing the problem is not new.
Across Thailand, wild elephants were reported to have caused more than 227 deaths and 203 injuries from 2012 to 2024, with 39 deaths recorded in 2024 alone. In Khao Yai, many dangerous encounters happen when elephants move outside the park during dry months or when a bull is in musth, which can make behavior harder to predict.
Shrinking Habitat Is Pushing Encounters Closer to People
Many of these tragedies connect back to habitat loss. Over the decades, deforestation, farming expansion, roads, and growing communities have broken up forests into smaller patches. With less space and fewer natural feeding areas, elephants are more likely to cross into farms, roads, and tourist zones, including campgrounds in and around Khao Yai.
As habitat shrinks, conflict rises. Elephants may raid crops or search for water outside protected areas. In the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai forest complex, pressure on land has made these encounters more common, and some residents now see elephants as a threat even though they are protected.
Conservation efforts have also changed the picture. With stronger anti-poaching work and protection, Thailand’s wild Asian elephant population has increased. Some reports estimate growth at about 8% per year. National estimates place the wild elephant population at around 4,400, with major groups in Khao Yai and nearby forests.
More elephants in a limited habitat can lead to overcrowding in certain areas and more movement into human spaces. In response, wildlife teams have started testing non-lethal ways to manage population growth.
In early 2026, the DNP announced a trial using contraceptive vaccines on a small number of wild female elephants, beginning with three in Trat province, with a trial period of up to seven years.
The program focuses on females that have already had calves, intending to ease pressure while avoiding harm to the species. Officials have said they may expand the plan if results look good.
The February 2 attack is a painful reminder of how hard coexistence can be when people and elephants share the same space. Better visitor guidance, stronger boundaries in high-risk zones, local support programs, and careful relocation plans may help reduce future conflict.
For now, the death of Jirathachai Jiraphatboonyathorn highlights the urgent need to protect both public safety and Khao Yai’s wild elephants.
