Motorists to waterfalls in Hua Hin warned of encountering wild elephants wandering for food on road

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Motorists to waterfalls in Hua Hin warned of encountering wild elephants wandering for food on road



HUA HIN: -- Travellers to Pa La-u waterfall in Hua Hin district of Prachuap Khiri Khan province are warned of possible encounter with wild elephants as the wild animals are now turning to roads to wander for food instead of to the wilderness.

They are now spotted more frequently by motorists driving to the waterfall tourist spot on the rural road from Nong Plab to Huey Satyai, according to Kaeng Kracharn national park officials.

Park rangers said they were concern about the safety of motorists driving to tourist spots in the Pa La-u forest area, particularly this coming weekend which has a five-day holiday period.

They said wild animals were spotted more frequently wandering for food on the rural road which are regularly used by motorists to visit waterfalls in Pa La-u.

A park ranger Sahat Kongsabai cited a recent incident when fast moving unit of the rangers have to use fire crackers to dispel several wild elephants from the road to allow stranded vehicles to pass.

He said these wild animals wandered around on the road both day and night looking for food and fruits thrown on the roadside by travellers.

This was reason why the wild elephants changed their habits from wandering in the forest to the road instead.

He then advised motorists to strictly abide by instructions upon entering the wild elephants while driving on the road.

If they encounter elephants on the road, they must first stop and watch the reaction of the animals, he said.

If elephants walk on road left shoulder, then they are advised to avoid by driving slowly away on the right side.

But if the animal is on the middle of the road, they are advised to wait until it walks away to the roadside.

Significantly, he said, motorists must not give them food, must not blow the horn, must not escalate the car engine and must not flash the headlights.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/motorists-waterfalls-hua-hin-warned-encountering-wild-elephants-wandering-food-road/


-- Thai PBS 2016-07-14

[Srikcir]

At least the elephant pictured is walking on the correct side of the road - against traffic.

[jvs]

WE go there quit often and see them most of the time,it is not nice for the locals because after dark they come into town and eat anything they like.

Lots of people stop and feed them and also trips are organized from Hua-hin to go see the elephants,some tourist are really stupid and go too close.

People have got killed in the past and it is only a matter of time before some one else get trampled.

I do enjoy seeing them and i wonder if the fence they are putting up will help,i noticed the elephants wandering further each year.

[mwbrown]

I came across a big elephant last year on the way to the Pala-U waterfall. He was just strolling down the road, properly walking towards oncoming traffic. Bobbed his head at me in greeting as I crawled past on the opposite shoulder on my motorbike.

[Rorri]

At least the elephant pictured is walking on the correct side of the road - against traffic.

Hope you don't drive, in Thailand, the elephant is on the left same as traffic SHOULD be.