CHACHOENGSAO: The elephant involved in a fatal van crash on Saturday might be a pet that was released in a forest in Sanam Chai Khet district a few years ago, according to local people.
Rungnapa Muangmai, 54, of tambon Lad Krathing, said a herd of elephants had suddenly appeared in the Lad Krathing forest plantation of the Forest Industry Organization 3-4 years ago, when the government was seriously enforcing the law on the registration of domesticated elephants.
At the time, villagers had often mentioned seeing 10-wheel trucks with fabric-covering entering the plantation at night, she said. They suspected the trucks were taking pet elephants into the forest for release there.
The animals were not like the wild elephants from the nearby Khao Ang Rue Nai wildlife sanctuary. They were not bad tempered and they followed instructions, especially those spoken in the northeastern dialect, and were not afraid of lights or firecrackers, Mrs Rungnapa said.
Wild elephants in Khao Ang Rue Nai sanctuary were bad tempered and afraid of lights and fireworks, she added.
She said that where the crash occurred on Saturday the road was narrow with thick vegetation on both sides, so motorists could not see any elephants that may be about to cross the road.
Somthawil Treechaisri, 62, also of tambon Lad Krathing, also said elephants in the plantation forest appeared very familiar with humans and quickly moved from one orchard to another when being chased.
Thongsri Hapol, 66, said he had lived in the area for about five decades and had not seen elephants in the forest plantation until 3-4 years ago. They were feeding on his bamboo, cassava, bananas and papayas.
Some elephants had been seen 2-3 years ago with thick ropes around their necks, as seen on domesticated animals. The elephants liked to approach people and roadside lights, unlike wild elephants, he said.
Mr Thongsri also said that local people had seen elephants being released into the plantation from big trucks about three years ago.