The Department of National Parks is preparing to pay 1 million baht in compensation and has expressed condolences to the family of a volunteer wild elephant monitor who died while on duty.
Following the incident on 16 September 2026, when a member of the Tha Kradan Subdistrict Administrative Organization (SAO) in Chachoengsao Province, who also served as head of the volunteer wild elephant monitoring and pushing team, was fatally attacked by a wild elephant while driving it out of a community area, Mr. Suchart Chomklin, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, expressed deep condolences. He described the deceased as a vital and selfless individual who bravely performed his duties to ensure public safety. He also urgently instructed the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation to provide full assistance and compensation to the bereaved family immediately.
On 17 September 2026, reporters on site at the funeral rites held at the sermon hall of Wat Thao Uthai, Village No. 3, Tha Kradan Subdistrict, Sanam Chai Khet District, Chachoengsao Province, reported seeing Mr. Ekachai Saendee, Head of Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary, Mr. Saptawee Kulsari, Mayor of Tha Kradan SAO, and other related officials representing Lord Chalermchai Sitsarit, Privy Councillor, sending wreaths. The deceased had a wife and a son who had been ordained as a monk just two months before the fatal wild elephant attack.
Mrs. Jamrian Phapimol, the deceased’s wife, was tearful as Mr. Ekachai Saendee confirmed that her husband was entitled to benefits according to regulations. Minister Suchart ordered the Department of National Parks to promptly compensate the family of the head of the volunteer wild elephant monitoring team who died in the line of duty. The department is preparing to pay 1 million baht in compensation. Documentation from Mr. Saptawee Kulsari, Mayor of Tha Kradan SAO, included an appointment order from the Civil Defense Volunteer Center of Tha Kradan SAO, No. 431/2569, appointing Mr. Phano Phapimol as a Civil Defense volunteer and head of the rapid response team for pushing wild elephants in September 2026.
Mr. Saptawee Kulsari, Mayor of Tha Kradan SAO, and Mr. Ekachai Saendee, Head of Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary, stated that the incident should be a lesson. The 1 million baht compensation is only a financial token to the deceased's family and cannot replace the loss of a volunteer like Mr. Phano, who before his death told Mayor Saptawee that he did not want to receive daily compensation but preferred to allocate it to other community members joining the wild elephant monitoring and pushing team. He already received a salary as an SAO member. This approach serves as a model for Tha Kradan Subdistrict to boost morale among wild elephant monitoring volunteers going forward.
The funeral rites are scheduled to take place nightly from 16 to 19 September, with the cremation ceremony set for 15:30 on 20 September 2026 at the crematorium of Wat Thao Uthai.