Wild elephants kill park volunteer in Prachinburi
A 53-year-old park volunteer was fatally trampled by two wild elephants in Thap Lan National Park in Prachinburi after a dog startled the resting animals during his patrol on May 2.
PRACHINBURI — On May 2, 2026, two wild elephants in Thap Lan National Park fatally trampled a park volunteer during his patrol, according to park authorities. The attack, which occurred around 18:00 in a bamboo forest on the edge of the national reserve bordering rubber plantations in Na Di district, is believed to have been triggered when a dog startled the animals as they rested.
Yosawat Thiansawat, director of Conservation Area Administration Office 1 (Prachinburi), received notification from Thap Lan National Park chief Prawattisat Chanthep that a rapid-response elephant monitoring team had reported the fatal incident. District chief Somjai Phutthasena, police investigator Lt. Col. Alongkorn Phukhama, and rescue workers from the Sajja Phutthatham Foundation responded to the scene in Ban Khlong Din Daeng, Thung Pho subdistrict.
The victim was identified as Thirachai Ngamsan, 53, a member of the national park volunteer protection unit. His body showed severe trauma with deformed arms and legs from heavy impact. Multiple elephant footprints and the victim's belongings—including a shoulder bag, radio, hat, and two water bottles—were found scattered around the area.
Thirachai's wife, Somporn Basala, 43, reported that her husband had left home early that morning to tap rubber and failed to return by 15:00. She discovered his body around 16:00 and alerted neighbors and authorities.
Local elephant monitoring officials determined from evidence at the scene that two elephants had been present, with signs indicating they had been lying down. They believe the victim encountered the resting animals during his patrol accompanied by a dog, which barked and startled the elephants, causing them to charge and attack fatally.
Park chief Prawattisat extended condolences to the victim's family and pledged assistance according to Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation regulations. The body was sent to Na Di Hospital for autopsy before being returned to relatives for funeral rites.
