Car Bursts into Flames After Striking Wild Elephant; 1 Dead

KANCHANABURI — May 20, 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, the Deputy Inspector of Investigation at Lat Ya Police Station reported that the accident occurred on Highway 323 heading toward Mueang Kanchanaburi District in Moo 9, Wang Dong Sub-district at approximately 9 p.m. Tuesday. Emergency responders, including medical personnel from Paholpolpayuhasena Hospital, forensics units, Salakpra Wildlife Sanctuary officials, and rescue workers, quickly arrived at the scene.

Despite streetlights in the area, the crash site was poorly illuminated. Authorities found a Toyota Corolla with Kanchanaburi plates on the roadside, its front completely demolished by impact. Fire spread rapidly from the crushed engine compartment through the passenger cabin before firefighters extinguished the blaze.

Chukiat, a 70-year-old passenger, was found dead in the front seat and later transferred to Paholpolpayuhasena Hospital. Two others were injured: driver Charn, 64, and rear-seat passenger Supanutt, 74. The damaged vehicle was towed to Lat Ya Police Station for further investigation.

Investigations revealed the vehicle driven by Charn was traveling from Sai Yok District toward downtown Kanchanaburi when, in complete darkness, one or more wild elephants from Salakpra Wildlife Sanctuary crossed the highway. The elephant had left the protected forest, crossed the Khwae Yai River, and ventured onto the road in search of food. While the vehicle was completely destroyed, the elephant's condition following the crash remains unknown.

Wildlife collisions are common on Highway 3199, which connects Kanchanaburi to Si Sawat, but this marks the first recorded fatal incident of its kind on Highway 323.