Tiger Attack Leaves Village Residents Barricading Homes in Fear
A tiger that fatally attacked a wildlife officer at Huai Kha Khaeng Sanctuary has left nearby residents in Uthai Thani Province barricading their homes at nightfall, with some unable to sleep from fear the animal may enter their properties.
Residents of Huai Kha Khaeng are living in terror, rushing to seal their homes with corrugated metal sheets after a tiger fatally attacked a wildlife official. Many are locking themselves indoors as soon as darkness falls, refusing to venture out. August 6, 2025 – Following the death of Sakarin Wichajarn, a wildlife officer at Huai Kha Khaeng Sanctuary in Uthai Thani Province, who was killed by a tiger while on duty, the incident has sparked widespread panic among local residents.
A reporter recently spoke with Nam Phung, 51, a resident of Tambon Rabam in Lan Sak District, whose home sits just meters from the sanctuary fence. She revealed that since learning of the official's death, she has been unable to sleep, dozing fitfully and waking in terror. She only sleeps during early dawn hours because at night, whenever dogs bark, she imagines it could be the tiger or an elephant.
Last year, she discovered tiger paw prints leading out of the forest and crossing near her house. Now, with the recent tragic news, her fear has intensified. Since her home has many gaps and openings, she has urgently begun sealing all the walls and gaps with metal sheets to make it completely secure.
She worries that if officials can be attacked while working in the upper forest areas, why couldn't the tiger jump into her home? Now she locks her house as soon as darkness falls and refuses to leave. Even when she hears dogs barking, she is too frightened to open her door. She is urging authorities to urgently capture the tiger, warning that since the animal has now tasted human flesh, residents living near the sanctuary boundary are no longer safe if the tiger remains at large.
