Khao Yai Rangers Hunt Injured Wild Elephant After Crash

Pictures courtesy of Daily News

Park officials are urgently searching for a wild elephant believed to be injured after it was struck by a box-style pickup truck near Khao Yai National Park, leaving the vehicle severely damaged and the driver seriously hurt. The collision occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning and prompted an immediate emergency response.

The collision happened at about 05:50 on 4 January 2026 on the Haeo Pla Kang–Dairy Home road, near the junction leading to the Mun River headwaters research station. The location is in Ban Haeo Pla Kang, Moo 10, Moo Si subdistrict, Pak Chong district, Nakhon Ratchasima province. The road runs through an area known for frequent wildlife crossings.

According to officials, the incident was reported to Mr Yosawat Thiansawat, Director of the Bureau of Protected Area Administration Region 1 (Prachin Buri). He received the report from Mr Chaiya Huaihongthong, Chief of Khao Yai National Park, and Ms Ratchanee Chokcharoen, Deputy Chief of the park, who was acting as Head of National Park Management Area 1 at the checkpoint.

When authorities arrived at the scene, they found a box-style pickup truck with Bangkok registration plate, extensively damaged. The front of the vehicle had been crushed, indicating a high-impact collision consistent with striking a large animal.

The injured driver was identified as Mr Suriya Lertrittha, aged 63, from Prachuap Khiri Khan province. He suffered a head wound and multiple injuries to his body. Rescue personnel from Moo Si Municipality provided first aid before transferring him urgently to Bangkok Hospital, Pak Chong branch, for treatment.

Park officials believe the wild elephant involved in the crash was seriously injured by the force of the impact. Initial ground searches of the crash site and nearby areas did not locate the animal, leading authorities to conclude it fled into tall grass or deeper forest shortly after the collision.

The Department of National Parks has deployed staff to track signs of the elephant’s movement. The search aims to assess the animal’s injuries and to monitor potential risks to nearby communities, as injured elephants can behave unpredictably when in pain or distress.

Daily News reported that officials also reiterated warnings to motorists using roads that cut through or border national parks, particularly during early morning hours when wildlife movement is more common.

Key Takeaways

• A wild elephant is being sought after a serious vehicle collision near Khao Yai National Park on 4 January 2026.

• The 63-year-old driver suffered serious injuries and was taken to Bangkok Hospital, Pak Chong.

• Park authorities are tracking the elephant to assess its condition and protect public safety.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now from Dailynews 2026-01-05