Jiranan Panyaprasertying, 49, went to explore Thailand’s Phu Kradueng National Park with a friend when they encountered a hostile elephant that charged towards them
Thailand: Mother tramped to death by crazed elephant in park
A tourist who went to explore one of Thailand’s most popular National Parks was trampled to death after being chased by a wild elephant.
Jiranan Panyaprasertying, 49, was exploring the site with a pal and set off on a hike to see a waterfall when they came across the hostile jumbo at the Phu Kradueng National Park on December 11. The violent animal charged at the pair, and while her friend managed to escape, the mum tripped while fleeing. Her skull was then brutally crushed as she was set upon.
Adisorn Hemthan, head of Phu Kradueng National Park, said the alarm was raised at 9:47am. Rangers were dispatched to the trail, where Jiranan’s lifeless body was found splayed on the grass. Police Major General Pongpipat Siripornwiwat, commander of the Loei Provincial Police, said: “We co-ordinated with the Wing 24 Unit in Udon Thani province to send a helicopter to the park.
“The deceased was taken to the Phu Kradueng Hospital for a post-mortem exam, and her friend was taken to the Phu Kradueng Police Station for questioning.”
According to her friend, Jiranan had walked around 700ft (200m) ahead of her when the attack happened. Park officials said it was the first time a tourist had been attacked along the trail. Atthaphon Charoenchansa, Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, said the path, and several others regularly used by wild animals, has been closed to ensure the safety of visitors.
He said: “The National Parks Department would like to express its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and ask that tourists strictly follow the advice of officials for safety while traveling.”
He added that Jiranan’s family will be receiving 100,000 THB (£2,300) worth of financial aid from the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Area 8 following the tragedy.
It was Jiranan’s first time on a hike at the national park, the mum revealed on social media. A day prior to the attack, she wrote on: “By the time we arrived, my legs were almost unable to move.
“I felt discouraged when I saw the stairs, but the view up there was breathtaking! This was my first time hiking at Phu Kradueng.”