An elephant at a charity event in Bueng Kan went on a rampage, causing the tragic death of one woman and leaving a man severely injured. The incident, which took place yesterday, November 11, led to chaos as attendees fled in panic.

 

A social media post detailed the unfortunate sequence of events during the traditional Kathin festival procession. An elephant part of the parade became aggressive and attacked participants. Two women sitting on the elephant’s howdah fell, suffering injuries.

 

One of the women, later identified as 47 year old Priyawarn Karakulpoonperm, was rushed to Pak Khat Hospital but sadly succumbed to her injuries. Another individual, 61 year old Somporn Baumano, was also critically injured after being pushed by the elephant into a parked motorcycle.

 

This incident prompted an investigation led by Jirayu Duangkaew, deputy investigator at Pak Khat Police Station. Following a report from the police communication centre about the fatal attack, he informed Siwat Vorakuttanon, the station’s superintendent, and proceeded to the scene.

 

The tragic event unfolded at the rear of Suthiwanaram Temple in Huai Kan Lueng Noi village, Pak Khat district, Bueng Kan province. Emergency response teams, including rescue units from the local administration and Sawang Siwilai at the Pak Khat point, transported the injured to medical facilities.

 

 

Despite efforts, Priyawarn could not be saved. Her body presented multiple injuries, and the postmortem examination confirmed the severity of her wounds.

 

Elephant rampage

 

Eyewitnesses recounted the procession, which started from the temple’s main entrance, attracting approximately 8,000 participants, including several elephants. Festivities included music and dance, with people offering bananas and sugarcane to the elephants. However, one smaller elephant showed signs of irritation, possibly exacerbated by the heat and teasing from attendees who pulled back sugarcane after offering it.

 

The elephant’s erratic behaviour led it to shake its head violently, causing panic as it ran amok. The mahout’s inability to control the animal resulted in chaos, with people scrambling for safety. Some attempted to manage the situation by pulling the elephant’s tail or using cloths to cover its eyes.

 

Unfortunately, Priyawarn fell directly in front of the elephant and was further attacked. The animal kneeled and pushed her with its head, resembling a motion to stab with its tusk. Fortunately, two other elephants were guided by their mahouts to intervene, preventing further assault. Despite their efforts, Priyawarn’s injuries proved fatal, reported KhaoSod.

 

Police are now gathering evidence and testimonies to pursue legal action in response to the incident.

 

By Bright Choomanee

Picture courtesy of Dailynews

 

Source: The Thaiger

-- 2024-11-12

 

 

I hope that the elephant is ok.

6 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

I hope that the elephant is ok.

 

The woman is dead.

11 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

However, one smaller elephant showed signs of irritation, possibly exacerbated by the heat and teasing from attendees who pulled back sugarcane after offering it.

Go Thailand.

2 hours ago, watchcat said:

 

The woman is dead.

Well spotted.

I noticed that as well.

Elephants are wild animals and should be left that way. Any human interaction has a risk.

Most people these days recognise that.

This elephant was being teased - possibly abused.

The mahout was unable to control it.

Sad for the woman but as I said earlier - I hope that the elephant is OK.

It is not the elephant's fault.

 

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

However, one smaller elephant showed signs of irritation, possibly exacerbated by the heat and teasing from attendees who pulled back sugarcane after offering it.

 

The elephant’s erratic behaviour led it to shake its head violently, causing panic as it ran amok. The mahout’s inability to control the animal resulted in chaos, with people scrambling for safety. Some attempted to manage the situation by pulling the elephant’s tail or using cloths to cover its eyes.

 

The elephant was obviously terrified by the appalling way it was being treated. The cruelty inflicted on elephants in Thailand is an utter disgrace.

9 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

I hope that the elephant is ok.

So someone died, and you joke about that. Are you proud of yourself?

when I see tinder profiles with dumb ...  that love to take pics with SEDATED wild animals...

 

elephants are ridden with TBC... no thanks

 

for the lovely fact checkers

 

Yes, elephants can carry tuberculosis (TB) and transmit it to humans: 

 

 

 

• Transmission

  Elephants can spread TB through the air by spraying liquid or air from their trunks. Because of their large lung capacity, elephants can release large amounts of TB bacteria into enclosed spaces. TB bacteria can remain in the air for several hours, depending on the environment. 

   

No lack of idiots.

Pull back sugarcane, pulling the tail(!).

 

Another example for a  lack of education.

Dealing with animals.

1 hour ago, KireB said:

So someone died, and you joke about that. Are you proud of yourself?

I see no joke in my statement - just concern for a magnificent beast that was being badly treated.

So what's your problem?

 

1 hour ago, john donson said:

when I see tinder profiles with dumb ...  that love to take pics with SEDATED wild animals...

 

elephants are ridden with TBC... no thanks

 

for the lovely fact checkers

 

Yes, elephants can carry tuberculosis (TB) and transmit it to humans: 

 

 

 

• Transmission

  Elephants can spread TB through the air by spraying liquid or air from their trunks. Because of their large lung capacity, elephants can release large amounts of TB bacteria into enclosed spaces. TB bacteria can remain in the air for several hours, depending on the environment. 

   

So can humans. Coughing and sneezing.

44 minutes ago, Tropicalevo said:

I see no joke in my statement - just concern for a magnificent beast that was being badly treated.

So what's your problem?

 

My problem is that I find it not done when people use other people's misersy and even death to make a funny comment on some forum.

 

But you dont mind apparently.

Elephants are dangerous animals, they should not be teased the way the article states – i.e. never tease any animals by offering them something and then pull it back, animals don't understand jokes.

12 hours ago, KireB said:

So someone died, and you joke about that. Are you proud of yourself?

No joke. I took hope the elephant is ok after the disgusting way it was being treated.

1 hour ago, Thingamabob said:

No joke. I took hope the elephant is ok after the disgusting way it was being treated.

My bad.

 

More than 25 people a year are killed by elephants in Thailand. Many more accidents. Better leave these beasts in the jungle. 

 

7 hours ago, KireB said:

My bad.

 

More than 25 people a year are killed by elephants in Thailand. Many more accidents. Better leave these beasts in the jungle. 

 

Agreed. The problem is that the jungles are being gradually taken over by people.