Huai Kha Khaeng: Operations were conducted around the clock as officials successfully pushed dozens of elephants back into the Huai Kha Khaeng forest following a tragic incident where a frog hunter was trampled to death.
According to Thai News Agency, the authorities used firecrackers to drive the elephants away from the buffer zone of the Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, which borders the villagers' agricultural land. This action was necessary after Mr. Chalor was trampled by an elephant on May 18.
The elephant chasing team, comprising members from the Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary and other local sanctuaries, collaborated with villagers equipped with elephant chasing tools such as balls and firecrackers. Together, they worked to guide the elephants, which included both adults and calves, back into the forest. A heat-sensing drone was deployed to monitor the elephants' movements during the day. This allowed ground teams to receive signals on the elephants' directions, enabling them to intercept and steer the animals towards the forest rather than the community or agricultural areas.
Investigations into Mr. Chalor's death revealed that he was likely trampled by an elephant at the edge of a drainage well, where footprints and trampled marks were found. Evidence such as elephant dung and footprints on the road, along with tracks leading into the forest, further supported this. It is believed that Mr. Chalor was on a frog-hunting expedition in the forest when he encountered the elephant. The flashlight on his helmet might have startled the animal, leading to the fatal attack. The elephant reportedly kicked Mr. Chalor's motorcycle, causing him to lose control and fall, before trampling him to death on the spot.