Tourist trampled to death by elephant in Thai national park

February 2, 2026

An elephant named Oyewan killed a third victim at Thailand national park, trampling 65-year-old tourist during morning walk, a park official said.

A wild bull elephant trampled and killed a 65-year-old tourist at a national park in Thailand on Monday, according to park officials.

The tourist was taking a morning walk with his wife when an elephant named Oyewan trampled him at Khao Yai National Park, national park chief Chaiya Huayhongthong told AFP.

Park rangers managed to scare the animal away, which allowed the tourist’s wife to escape, Chaiya said.

"He was the third person killed by Oyewan," he said, adding that authorities will meet on Friday to decide on how to deal with the elephant.

"We will probably decide to relocate him or change his behavior," he told the outlet, without elaborating.

The tourist killed was identified as Jirathachai Jiraphatboonyathorn from Lopburi province, the National Park but did not immediately hear back.

Wild elephants have caused an estimated 227 human fatalities between 2012 and 2024 in Thailand, contraceptive vaccines.