NAKHON SI THAMMARAT: Vets were operating on an elephant with gunshot wounds on Wednesday, with little progress in the case against a local leader who fired the shots and was asked to pay the owner 2 million baht in compensation.

Vets went to tambon Thonhong in Prommakhiri district to treat Phlai Somchok.

The young elephant, owned by mahout Somchai Yoothongkham, was hit five times - in both front legs, its trunk, and two spots near its mouth.

Mr Somchai, 62, has demanded 2 million baht compensation from Khanit Khunlok, the head of tambon Thonhong who shot his elephant.

Mr Khanit had admitted shooting the elephant and implicated another person as well, according to Mr Somchai.

The mahout said he had demanded 2 million baht because Phlai Somchot was his main means of sustaining his family. 

He would use the compensation to buy a new elephant, as he was not certain Phlai Somchok would be able to work again. 

Mr Somchai said his elephant was in musth before the incident, so he had chained him near a sand pond belonging to the local leader. 

On Feb 16, Mr Khanit phoned and asked him to move the elephant away because he wanted to dig out some sand. Mr Somchai said he replied he would move the animal the following day. He needed to buy a new chain first.

When he went to move his elephant the following day, he found the jumbo had several bullet wounds. Mr Khanit later admitted he shot the elephant, claiming the animal had attacked his backhoe.