A warning has been issued after villagers went mushroom foraging in the Phu Wua Wildlife Sanctuary, where a 39-year-old woman was trampled to death by a wild elephant, suffering broken ribs.
At 7:00 a.m. on 10 May 2026, Police Lieutenant Theeraphat Mongsing, duty officer at Bung Khla Police Station, received a report from villagers about a wild elephant trampling a person to death within the Phu Wua Wildlife Sanctuary near the end of Na Jan Village, Moo 4, Bung Khla Subdistrict, Bung Khla District, Bueng Kan Province. He reported to his superiors and coordinated with Mr. Wisanu Kumpaw, head of the Phu Wua Wildlife Sanctuary, along with officials, to bring a doctor from Bung Khla Hospital, local authorities, and Sawang Sriwilai Rescue Service to investigate the scene.
Upon arrival at the scene about 4 kilometers from the village edge, located within the forest area under the responsibility of the Phu Wua Wildlife Sanctuary, officials found the deceased lying on her back, wearing a black long-sleeve shirt, dark blue sweatpants, and boots. She was identified as Mrs. Rungnapa, 39, a resident of Moo 4, Na Jan Village, Bung Khla Subdistrict, Bung Khla District, Bueng Kan Province.
The medical examination revealed a depressed fracture on the right clavicle and broken ribs at the front and back of the chest. After the autopsy, officials handed over the body to rescue workers to transport it for funeral rites at her hometown.
The deceased’s sister told reporters that around 6:00 a.m., she, her younger sister, and a neighbor—a group of three—went into the forest of the Phu Wua Wildlife Sanctuary to forage for mushrooms. They had just walked about 800 meters from where they parked their vehicle. She and her sister were bent over picking mushrooms about 2–3 meters apart when she looked up and saw a large wild elephant standing less than 5 meters in front of her sister. She immediately ran away, with her sister following, but her sister tripped and fell. The sister then hid behind a large tree and watched as the elephant attacked her sibling. She heard her sister calling her name. Within two minutes, the elephant fled into the forest. She quickly called for help and contacted villagers, but it was too late—the sister had been trampled to death.
Mr. Wisanu Kumpaw, head of the Phu Wua Wildlife Sanctuary, warned villagers through community leaders in all villages adjacent to Phu Wua Mountain, as well as those entering the forest to forage for wild mushrooms. This is the mushroom season, and while forbidding villagers from entering the forest is unlikely to be heeded, they should be cautious of wild elephants. Currently, the Phu Wua wild elephants have split into several groups scattered around the sanctuary, posing a significant danger to mushroom foragers.
He advised that if possible, people should avoid entering the forest or inform Phu Wua Wildlife Sanctuary officials before going in for their safety. Every year during mushroom season, villagers are injured or killed by wild elephants. For the deceased, the sanctuary will provide assistance according to Department regulations.