"Phlai Oi Wan," a wild elephant from Khao Yai, attacked and killed a tourist at a campsite in Wang Nam Khiao District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. The elephant was found to be in musth and has a history of injuring locals, having already caused two deaths.
At 05:30 on 2 February 2026, reports came in of a wild elephant attacking and killing a tourist at the Khao Yai National Park Protection Unit campsite, Chor Yor 4 Khlong Plakang, Village No. 16, Wang Mee Subdistrict, Wang Nam Khiao District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province.
The victim was Mr. Jirat Chai Jirapattanboonyathorn, 69, from Pa Tan Subdistrict, Mueang Lopburi District, Lopburi Province. He was camping at the site and woke early to exercise. While walking, he encountered "Phlai Oi Wan," a wild elephant from Khao Yai National Park that had ventured outside the park. The elephant attacked him, using its trunk to strike and trampling him repeatedly until he died about 20 meters from his tent. Other campers witnessed the attack but were too afraid to intervene, fearing the elephant would attack them as well.
After the incident, Khao Yai National Park officials and police from Wang Mee Police Station, Wang Nam Khiao District, arrived at the scene and drove Phlai Oi Wan away. Medical personnel from Wang Nam Khiao Hospital and rescue workers from Hook 31 Rescue Unit then examined the body, finding bleeding from the mouth and nose, broken limbs, and multiple wounds all over the body.
Park officials confirmed that Phlai Oi Wan was in musth at the time and had previously caused two deaths among locals. This incident marks the third fatality linked to this elephant.
