A man was killed after being attacked by an elephant while collecting dung at a palm oil plantation in Ao Luek district, Krabi, Thailand, on 25 June 2026. The victim, identified as Somchai, 49, from Ao Luek Tai in Krabi, was found unconscious at the scene with multiple injuries before later dying at Ao Luek Hospital.

Get today's headlines by email

Police at Ao Luek station received a report of a person injured by an elephant at a plantation in Moo 6, Ao Luek Tai subdistrict, Ao Luek district. Emergency responders from the Sawang Krabi Ao Luek Rescue Unit and the municipal emergency medical team in Laem Sak were sent to the location.

At the scene, rescuers found Somchai lying unconscious beside a female elephant identified as Pang Chao Saen, aged around 30 years. The elephant was tied up at the plantation site. Emergency teams moved the animal away before providing first aid to the victim and transporting him to hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. He suffered multiple severe injuries.

Initial police investigations found that Somchai worked as a farmer and general labourer. Before the incident, he had gone to the plantation to collect elephant dung for use as compost fertiliser. At the time, the elephant’s mahout was not present.

Investigators believe the victim approached too closely to the elephant while it was unattended by its handler. The animal is thought to have become startled or threatened, leading it to attack the man.

Police and rescue workers secured the area while ensuring the elephant was restrained and moved away so that medical assistance could be safely given. Officers have since begun collecting statements from the mahout to establish the full sequence of events.

Naewna reported that further inquiries are ongoing to determine the precise circumstances leading up to the attack and whether additional safety measures are required at the plantation.

Picture courtesy of Naewna

Join the discussion?

Already a member?

Adapted by ASEAN Now Naewna 27 June 2026

View full article

RIP, sir. 🌹

Rule #1 of collecting elephant dung: make sure the elephant has already left the meeting.