Elephant Kills Tourist in Khao Yai; Oyewan Responsible for Third Fatality

A wild bull elephant caused the death of a 65-year-old Thai tourist from Lopburi province in Khao Yai National Park, central Thailand, on Monday. The victim, who was on a morning walk with his wife, was trampled by the elephant, while his wife successfully escaped after park rangers intervened.

This incident marks the third fatality attributed to the same elephant, known as Oyewan.

Authorities Plan Action for Oyewan

National park chief Chaiya Huayhongthong confirmed the incident and stated that authorities plan to meet on Friday to determine the elephant's future, potentially involving relocation or behavioral modification.

Rising Elephant-Human Conflicts in Thailand

Since 2012, over 220 individuals, including tourists, have died due to encounters with wild elephants in Thailand, according to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation.

The wild elephant population in Thailand has increased significantly, from 334 in 2015 to approximately 800 last year. In response, authorities have implemented contraceptive vaccine programs for female elephants to manage population growth.

Global Incidents of Fatal Elephant Encounters

Fatal elephant attacks have also been reported in other regions:

• In January last year, a Spanish tourist died while bathing an elephant at a sanctuary in southern Thailand.
• In December 2024, a tourist was killed by an elephant in Loei province, northern Thailand.
• Last month, officials in India reported a wild elephant responsible for at least 20 deaths and 15 injuries in Jharkhand forests.
• Last July, two women from the U.K. and New Zealand died during a walking safari in Zambia.
• In April 2025, officials in Kenya reported a 54-year-old man killed by an elephant in the central part of the country.
• In January last year, a tourist died after an encounter with an elephant in South Africa's Kruger Park.