Natural Resource and Environment Minister Surasak Karnjanarat has sought to dispel concern over an apparent proposal to invoke Section 44 to legalise the hunting of wild elephants.
The proposition, raised by the Chachoengsao provincial governor at a meeting of governors from other eastern provinces over how to prevent wild elephants from intruding on farmland, was only a joke, said Mr Surasak during a visit to Trat last week.
The minister was in Trat to prepare for Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's visit to address the wildlife problem in the eastern coastal provinces of Trat and Chanthaburi from Feb 4-5.
Villagers have reported several cases of their crops being damaged by wild elephant intruders. Cases were recorded in Sa Kaeo, Chachoengsao, Rayong and Prachin Buri.
These problems stem from a surge in the elephant population and food shortages in forests.
According to the Natural Resource and Environment Ministry, around 20 wild elephants have been sighted outside their natural habitat in Trat.
Environmentalists have proposed conducting research on how to get stingless bees to chase away the elephants. The ministry says they will address the issues with academics, and see if the research can get money from the Office of Environment Funds, said Gen Surasak.
Previous methods used to drive away wild elephants from agricultural land include growing trees and digging trenches to serve as barriers, as well as creating artificial salt licks as food sources for them. However, these have not proven to be sustainable solutions.
Inthira Manakul, president of a Chanthaburi environment protection group, says the use of stingless bees could help prevent wild elephants from intruding on agricultural fields.
She advises Gen Surasak to acquire the appropriate environment funding for research.
Thammanoon Temchai, chief of the Phetchaburi National Parks Research Centre, said around 230 elephants have been found in Prachuap Khiri Khan's Kui Buri and Kaeng Krachan National Parks -- the latter extending into Phetchaburi province as well.
Mr Thammanoon said the elephant population has increased at a steady rate over the past two decades, with the number of them expected to rise a total of 600 in 2027.
To solve the issue, all relevant actors must work together to install preventive measures, said Gen Surasak.