Wild elephant startles tourists on busy road in Khao Yai National Park
A large wild elephant emerged onto a road near Khao Yai National Park, frightening tourists who hastily tried to reverse their cars. The incident occurred yesterday when the elephant left the forest, crossing the road without causing any harm before returning to the woodland area.
According to Assumporn Rojanburanan, the head of Pong Prathan village in the Pak Chong district, Nakhon Ratchasima, the large elephant was spotted walking out of the woods and leisurely strolling along the road within the national park around on the way to Klhong Tabak. The elephant was heading towards the three-way intersection at Green Hill, near the Nen Hom Gate and Pong Yai Maeow.
Assumporn was accompanying his son, Kritsana Rojanburanan, and friends on a sightseeing trip and photography expedition in Khao Yai National Park when they encountered the large elephant. They estimated it to be a young elephant, aged about 15-18 years, as it had not yet developed tusks and its gender could not be discerned. The sighting caused vehicles coming from Nakhon Nayok’s Nen Hom Gate to swerve and try to escape, fearing the animal would approach them. However, due to a long queue of cars behind, they were unable to reverse.
The elephant continued heading towards the Green Hill intersection, where it was filmed by Kritsana’s son. The elephant then walked down the side of the road and returned to the forest without causing any damage or incidents.
Chaiya Huayhongsathon, Head of Khao Yai National Park, commented that wild elephants often come to the roadside to search for food on the route to Prachin Buri, occasionally strolling onto the road itself.
He mentioned that park official Sitthiporn Sinsueb has been assigned to look after the elephants and ensure the safety of tourists and locals who use this road, having done so for nearly two years without any reports of elephant attacks.
Chaiya emphasised that visitors should not disturb the elephants, maintain a distance of at least 50 metres, and avoid making loud noises or honking their horns, as this will prevent any harm from coming to both the elephants and people, reports KhaoSod Online.
