Report Tourist Fined for Risky Elephant Encounter in Khao Yai National Park

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Picture courtesy of Channel 7

 

A thrill-seeking tourist recently received a fine for recklessly getting too close to a wild elephant at Khao Yai National Park, underscoring ongoing safety challenges in the popular tourist destination. The incident occurred on 7th May when the tourist and his group, who were travelling from Thailand’s eastern region, stopped to snap selfies with the elephant wandering along the road.

 

Flouting national park guidelines that urge visitors to maintain a safe distance, the entourage stepped out of their vehicle to pose merely metres from the sizeable beast. This bold move not only breached park safety rules but also jeopardised their safety.

 

Park rangers, unimpressed by the tourists' antics, imposed a 500-baht fine on the main offender the following day. Alongside the financial penalty, the visitor received a stern warning to avoid such perilous encounters in the future.

 

Sarut Phiraksa, Assistant Chief of Khao Yai National Park, reiterated essential safety advice for park visitors. “If you encounter an elephant, please stay at least 50 metres away and wait for an official. Getting close puts yourself and others in serious danger,” he advised.

 

Sarut further emphasised that stopping on the roadside to approach wildlife is prohibited. Both sides of the road are off-limits due to safety reasons, protecting both humans and the animals from potential harm.

 

He cautioned, "There are currently many visitors and elephant enthusiasts. Please don’t take close-up pictures of wild elephants. This kind of behaviour endangers lives. We want everyone to enjoy the park safely and happily."

 

This incident is not an isolated one; tourists have continually underestimated the risks of approaching Thailand’s formidable elephants, despite repeated warnings from authorities about the dangers posed by these powerful creatures.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-05-08