Local Man Missing Eight Days After Entering Forest Searching for Wild Products, Found Dead After Round-the-Clock Search
A 57-year-old forager from Loei province was found dead in Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary after going missing for eight days, with elephant tracks and wounds at the scene suggesting a fatal elephant attack.
A villager from Loei province entered the forest to forage for wild products and disappeared for eight days before being found dead in the Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary, believed to have been attacked by a wild elephant. The family remains uncertain about the cause of death.
The case involves a village headman from Yang Diao village, Khao Luang subdistrict, Wang Saphung district, Loei province, who reported a missing resident after the person entered the Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary to search for forest products on April 22, 2025. The missing person is identified as Boonma Whaen Chanlah, 57 years old.
Following the report, officials coordinated search efforts involving multiple agencies including the Wang Saphung district administration, Khao Luang subdistrict administrative organization, Border Patrol Police Unit 246, K9 police dog unit, Border Patrol Police Command Unit 24, village officials, Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary staff, rescue teams, Loei Amateur Radio Association, and the QRK5TAEM association. The search operation ran between April 28-29, 2025, but found no trace of the missing person.
On April 30, 2025, villagers reported discovering Boonma's body approximately 800 meters from the forest boundary near the Huai Buaeng checkpoint area.
Investigators found elephant tracks in the surrounding area, and the body bore multiple wounds. Initial findings suggest the man may have been fatally attacked by a wild elephant.
A preliminary autopsy was conducted by medical and investigative officials, which revealed the body was severely decomposed. The family expressed doubts about the cause of death. The body was released to the family for funeral rites on May 1, 2025.
