Villagers discovered the body of a monk, suspected to have been fatally injured by an elephant during his alms round. Authorities are preparing to send the body for an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
At 06:30 on 17 Dec 2025 GMT+7, Police Lieutenant Colonel Ekkalak Pholsan, investigator at Si Chomphu Police Station, Khon Kaen Province, received a report from villagers about a deceased monk found on a footpath outside Ban Suan Sawan Village, Moo 3, Ban Mai Subdistrict, Si Chomphu District. It is suspected he was attacked by an elephant. The police, along with a duty doctor from Si Chomphu Hospital and rescue volunteers from Sattha Tham Association “Tek Ka” Jeep Koh, promptly went to investigate.
The deceased was identified as Monk Pramote, aged 70. His body was found face down, with his robe torn and his alms bag and bowl scattered along the roadside. The body showed bruises and injuries all over.
Villagers reported that Monk Pramote had lived alone for many years in a private monk residence. He had been absent from the area for over a year, explaining to locals that wild elephants were causing disturbances and he feared for his safety. He had returned to live in the private monk quarters about a year ago.
Before the incident, Monk Pramote had set out on foot for his alms round heading into the village. It is believed that a wild elephant of unknown age and sex, hiding in the forest beside the path, attacked him. Villagers nearby reported hearing the calls of wild elephants searching for food during the previous night.
Officials will send the body for a further autopsy at Srinagarind Hospital in Khon Kaen to confirm the true cause of death.