Community Khao Yai Elephants Prompt Call for 15km Barrier to Protect Villagers and Crops

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of SismRath

 

A provincial councillor has proposed the construction of a 15-kilometre-long barrier to protect local communities from wild elephants entering farmlands near Khao Yai National Park, following a string of destructive and fatal incidents.

 

Mr Choon Sirichaikeerikosol, a member of the Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) representing Wang Nam Khiao District, revealed that community leaders from Wang Nam Khiao, Wang Mee and Raroeng sub-districts have raised urgent concerns. These areas border Khao Yai–Thap Lan National Parks and the Khao Phaeng Ma Wildlife Sanctuary, where a herd of roughly 20 wild elephants is believed to be roaming.

 

The animals, drawn to crops in nearby villages, have caused extensive damage to farmland and tragically claimed two lives. The fatal incidents occurred in 2024 and early 2025 in Ban Khlong Sai, Village 8 of Wang Nam Khiao.

 

Although local authorities, national park officials and villagers have been working together to deter the animals, Mr Choon said these efforts have so far only addressed the symptoms of a larger problem. He is advocating for the construction of a 15-kilometre-long barrier to act as a physical boundary between human settlements and protected forest areas.

 

“This measure would not only protect residents and their livelihoods, but also promote sustainable tourism,” Mr Choon said. “Visitors could observe wildlife in its natural habitat without feeding the animals, helping preserve ecological balance.”

 

Mr Banphot Phokham, Chief of the Wang Nam Khiao Subdistrict Administrative Organisation, described the challenging geography of the area, with Ban Khlong Sai sitting between Khao Yai and Thap Lan forests, and bordering the Khao Phaeng Ma wildlife zone.

 

He said local authorities are forced to repel elephants on a near-daily basis, often without warning. “Sometimes, herds of 9 to 10 elephants appear without notice, particularly targeting sugarcane and fruit crops,” he added. “There are also gaurs roaming the area, making life even more difficult for farmers.”

 

Mr Banphot called for urgent legal reform to better address the impact of wildlife on local communities. Until such measures are in place, villagers will continue to face unpredictable threats to their lives and livelihoods.

 

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from SiamRath 2025-07-07

 

 

 

[JimHuaHin]

What about protecting the elephants from villagers?

[fredwiggy]

The immediate building of a barrier is how this will stop, as elephants will go anywhere they can find food, and people are just in the way, which has deaths on either side happening. This is the governments job, protecting it's wildlife and citizens. Maybe instead of buying a useless submarine which will never need to be used.