Wild Elephant Tramples Wife to Death in Chonburi Rubber Plantation
A wild elephant attacked and killed a 36-year-old woman while she and her husband were tapping rubber in a plantation in Chonburi’s Nong Yai district. The husband said he could not reach her in time after the animal chased her despite his attempts to flee. Police have secured the scene and are working with wildlife officials to prevent further incidents.
The incident happened in a rubber plantation in Moo 1, Khlong Phlu subdistrict, Nong Yai district, Chonburi province. Police from Nong Yai station were notified by villagers and coordinated with local rescue units to investigate. Officers found the body of Ms. Warana (surname withheld), aged 36, showing injuries consistent with a wild elephant attack. The area was secured for further examination.
Mr. Phanthamont (surname withheld), aged 27, the husband and informant, said that before dawn he and his wife had gone to collect latex as usual. Around 6:00 a.m., his wife saw a wild elephant entering the plantation and shouted, “Elephant coming, run!” They each ran in opposite directions; he fled uphill while she went another way. The elephant did not follow him but chased his wife. He then heard her scream, which suddenly stopped. When he turned back, he saw the elephant attacking his wife right before his eyes but was unable to help. After the animal left the area, he approached and found his wife dead, then promptly called the police.
Authorities are still investigating the details and have contacted relevant agencies to manage the wild elephant situation and monitor the surrounding area to prevent recurrence. Officials also warned residents, especially those working or living near forested areas, to keep a safe distance from wild elephants, avoid approaching, provoking, or herding them, and to report any sightings immediately to the relevant authorities.
