Rescuers revealed that a Huai Kha Khaeng officer was fatally attacked by a tiger, dragged away, and mauled in the early morning while performing duties overseeing tourists. The incident site had no wildlife camera traps installed.
On 5 August 2026 GMT+7, reporters visited the Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary in Lan Sak District, Uthai Thani Province, after reports that an officer was mauled to death by a tiger. Mr. Prasut Poolsukserm, an officer from the Uthai Thani Rescue Foundation in Lan Sak, stated that after receiving the alert at around 06:00 this morning, the body of Mr. Sakrin Wichajan, a government employee with the Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, was found near the multipurpose pavilion. The body had been dragged about 1 kilometer towards the Huai Kha Khaeng stream, close to the Sueb Nakhasathien Memorial. The corpse showed bite wounds on the head with the skull exposed, bite marks and flesh eaten on the neck, and the knees and legs had flesh missing due to tiger bites.
Lieutenant Donusorn Senchu, an investigator from Lan Sak Police Station, sent the body for an autopsy at the forensic department of Sawanpracharak Hospital in Nakhon Sawan Province to examine the cause of death and collect evidence.
Reporters then went to the multipurpose pavilion where the deceased had rested and monitored tourists camping nearby. Behind the pavilion, a green hammock was found, believed to be where the deceased slept before being dragged by the tiger. His uniform and bedding were still there. This area is a natural path commonly used by wildlife and popular among tourists for camping.
Mrs. Chayaporn Amradit, Director of Protected Areas Regional Office 12 in Nakhon Sawan Province, confirmed that the deceased was a government employee whose main duties included overseeing tourists and educating those camping in the Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary. He also provided knowledge to youth camps and the general public to raise awareness about the Huai Kha Khaeng forest. The cause of death awaits autopsy results, but clear signs of animal attack were found at the scene, likely by a tiger due to the dragging pattern, bite marks, and wounds. The incident occurred while he was on regular duty at the site with colleagues nearby, though they may not have heard the attack due to the valley's geography. The area is both a food source and water stream for wildlife.
It was confirmed that the incident was not due to negligence; all staff are careful, dedicated, and attentive in their work. Regarding identifying whether a male or female tiger was responsible, Huai Kha Khaeng has cameras installed to monitor animal behavior, but none were set up at this particular site. Therefore, they must review footage from nearby cameras.
The death of Mr. Sakrin deeply saddened his colleagues and family, as he was a conscientious worker. After the autopsy is complete, the body will be handed over to the family for religious funeral rites.