A tragic elephant attack in Thailand’s Buriram province has resulted in the death of a 62-year-old man named Chatchai (last name not disclosed). Chatchai was fatally trampled and his body was torn into two parts by a wild elephant in a forest near Nong Bon Village, approximately 3 kilometers from his home.
The victim, Chatchai, was residing in the village with his two wives, Saibua, aged 60, and Pranom, aged 55. They shared their harrowing experiences of dealing with frequent elephant incursions and the inherent dangers faced by the villagers.
Saibua mentioned that the villagers constantly lived in fear of elephant attacks and often had to take cover. Their rice fields were frequently targeted by elephants, resulting in substantial losses. Tragically, on the day of the incident, Chatchai was in the forest to catch crickets when the fatal encounter occurred.
Pranom remembered that she typically accompanied her husband to safeguard their rice fields. However, on the day of the incident, Chatchai ventured into the forest alone, while she was heading home. About 30 minutes later, she heard the loud trumpeting of an elephant and became worried for her husband’s safety. She regretted not being with him, and the sudden change in their usual routine that evening, where they didn’t engage in their usual conversation, left her feeling uneasy.
The assistant village headman, Tien Somsai, who also acted as a local elephant deterrent, revealed that the same elephant had claimed another life the previous month. He expressed concerns about the potential for further casualties in the coming months as villagers had to enter the forest for their livelihood. Tien Somsai voiced his dissatisfaction with the lack of support and compensation from responsible agencies for villagers assigned as elephant chasers. He also emphasized the need for improved resources and equipment to deal with these perilous animals.
This incident highlights the precarious situation faced by villagers living in close proximity to forests in Thailand. The increasing number of deadly encounters with elephants is a matter of serious concern, necessitating immediate action from authorities to ensure the safety of local communities.
