Elephants block road, kill man in Hua Hin district

[Norseman]

From Bangkok Post.

A herd of wild elephants trampled a Karen man to death and injured his friend near a road in Hua Hin district yesterday.

The dead man was identified only as Bird.
He died of head injuries and multiple broken bones.
Haepo, 19, also a Karen, was treated in hospital for less serious hand and leg injuries.

Mr Haepo told police he was driving a motorcycle with Bird riding pillion.
They were on their way home after a night out when they came across the elephants, which were blocking the Hua Hin-Ban Huay Satyai Pala-u road.
He said he tried to go around the animals but an elephant suddenly emerged from behind a nearby bush and charged at them.
As he tried to speed off to escape the attack, he lost control of his bike and it plunged into a roadside ditch.

The other elephants then joined in the attack, inflicting fatal injuries on Bird.

Realising that he could do nothing to help his friend, Mr Haepo ran to save his own life.

He took cover in the nearby woods until villagers came to his rescue.

[Vital Spark]

I know this is very naughty of me, but I can't help thinking that there's more to this story.

Generally elephants do not attack people, unless they are upset or provoked. These two young lads, and I've seen it many times when cows are walking down our local roads, probably beeped their horn (if they could find it), were possibly going too fast and maybe spooked the elephants, or kicked out a leg as they went by. They may have imbibed in a glass (or two) of lao - and, as the report said, they ended up in the ditch. I wonder how many of the injuries were caused by an elephant, and how many were caused by flying headfirst into a ditch (obviously not wearing a helmet)?

Yes, it's sad that a young man lost his life, but I do hope that the locals won't start taking revenge on the elephants. After all, I guess the big beasts have been roaming that area way before young lads on motorcycles were roaring up the road...

VS

[migrant]

Are there actually 'wild' elephants in Hua Hin? My wife, who is from the area never heard of them, but she's been away awhile.

[Farang]

On the way to Pala-U there are signs warning about elephants. One often encounters on the road
massive leavings of some big beast. As they hardly are left by a whale nor by giant sauridae,
one must assume they are left by elefants. The locals do claim there are wild elephants in the area.

[Viseman]

Isn't Bird the name of the current or former guitarist at Rock Bar?

[JW]

Got to agree that i doubt the elephants did a bloody thing except get in the way of a bike travelling at crazy speed. As for wild elephants in Hua Hin area - i would say this is highly unlikely.

[norm]

Probably sounds a lot better than saying I tried to miss some elephant crap in the road and crashed and killed my friend.

[Chas]

We took a day off today and went to Pala U waterfall. On the way back, somewhere between the two zig-zag crossings ( where you have to maneuver around these fences) we came across a small herd of wild elephants! This was about 5:30 in the afternoon and about half way back from the waterfall.

There were four or five of them waiting to cross the road and we were travelling slowly enough to get a very good look. We had just been discussing elephants and there they were coming out of the forest! Rather a magical moment. We debated turning around and going back to watch them a bit but caution got the best of us and we continued on our way.

So I can confirm the presence of wild elephants here, having seen them emerging from the forest with my own eyes.

[JimmyGreaves]

Confirmation from me also. Last year saw a heap of them and also their droppings on the way to the waterfall and yes they are running wild!

[HHTel]

Yes there are 'wild' elephants towards Pala-u. Seen them several times when going up there for a drive. Any sceptics, then go see for yourself.

[richard]

Chas

Waiting to cross the road!!!!

Zebra crossing or elephant crossing????

[Chas]

Richard, I just knew that a joke would emerge from my post and I contemplated several myself ( mostly around the ancient question "why?" As in, "Why did the chicken cross the road?"

Anyway, as with the deer crossing markers in my native state, the question arises as to how the deer know where to cross!

If you intend to go out looking, just look for the mashed down shrubbery. Large parts of the forest/jungle along the road for several km look as if a tank has been driven through.