The notorious Jao Khuad "Wild elephant" stormed into the temple kitchen causing extensive damage. The abbot of Khlong Mahat Temple suspects the elephant was angry after searching for food but found none.
On 25 Dec 2025 GMT+7, Kamnan Somjit Sathuchat, head of Tha Takiap Subdistrict, dispatched Mr. Somwong Chanchoti, leader of the Khlong Mahat village wild elephant monitoring volunteer team, to investigate and assist after receiving a report from Phra Ajarn Wisanu, abbot of Khlong Mahat Temple. The report stated that in the morning, the wild elephant nicknamed Jao Khuad had entered the temple and damaged property. Upon arrival, they found the elephant drinking water from a jar behind the temple hall. The volunteer team monitored the elephant's behavior to prevent further destruction before guiding it back into the forest behind the temple.
Phra Ajarn Wisanu, the abbot of Khlong Mahat Temple, showed the damage inside the temple. He explained that in the morning while the monks were out collecting alms, the wild elephant Jao Khuad broke into the temple, destroyed the concrete wall of the kitchen, then broke through an inner wall. It overturned cooking utensils, rice pots, curry pots, and scattered dishes around. The elephant likely smelled rice from when food was cooked for a Kathin ceremony, but when it found no rice grains, it became angry. The abbot confirmed there was no rice or food stored in that kitchen.
Meanwhile, Kamnan Somjit Sathuchat assigned Mr. Somwong Chanchoti, leader of the Khlong Mahat wild elephant monitoring volunteers, to work alongside conservation officers from the Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary. Together they monitored and prevented the wild elephant from entering further into the temple grounds, documenting the incident with photos to be sent to the Tha Takiap district chief. The information will be used in meetings to plan compensation and repair of the damage.