Massive Herd of Wild Elephants Destroys Farmland in Prachuap Buri
Over 80 wild elephants fleeing drought conditions devastated farmland in Prachuap Buri's Nadi District, destroying crops including bananas and coconuts as the largest elephant gathering on record for the area migrated from neighboring Nakho
Prachuap Buri—A critical human-wildlife conflict has escalated around Thap Lan National Park as over 80 wild elephants, fleeing severe drought conditions, migrated across two provinces from Nakhon Ratchasima into Prachuap Buri. The massive herd descended on agricultural areas in Ban Tung Phi, Nadi District, destroying farmland and compounding existing tensions over land rights disputes at the national park.
When park officials responded to reports of elephants feeding on crops, they found nearly a dozen elephants destroying banana plantations, coconut trees, and other fruit plants belonging to local residents. Officers successfully drove the herd back into the forest to ensure public safety.
When surveying the damage, reporters met Jiam To Suengnoen, 80, and his wife Rabiang To Suengnoen, 75, owners of a 5-acre mixed fruit farm that was devastated. The couple, still shaken, described how during heavy rain one evening, Rabiang spotted nearly 10 large elephants attacking banana, coconut, durian, and mangosteen plants near their home. Frightened, they fled to the second floor. Rabiang then opened a window and pleaded with the elephants: "Please stop. Leave some fruit for us to eat. You can go now." Remarkably, the herd paused and looked back at her.
During the crisis, a young elephant fell into a pond beside the house and cried out in distress. The mother elephant used her intelligence and trunk to safely lift her calf from the water before the entire herd was driven back into the forest.
Jiam expressed despair that this was the third elephant raid on his farm this year, and the most severe. The herd consumed over 50 banana plants he had carefully nurtured through a severe drought, only to lose them just as the rainy season promised a harvest. He appealed to government agencies for urgent assistance.
Prasatsat Chanthep, director of Thap Lan National Park, revealed that this represents the largest elephant gathering on record for the area. Approximately 60 elephants migrated from Nakhon Ratchasima's Korat and Udomthani subdistricts, joining 20-30 resident elephants in Prachuap Buri, forming a herd exceeding 80. The director identified three main factors driving the behavioral change: severe drought, erratic climate patterns during the rainy season, and habitat loss within the forest.
