A former assistant to the head of Khao Yai National Park has disputed a fine issued after a video emerged showing his sedan passing close to two wild elephants on a road within the park. Saroj Praphan faced criticism following the release of footage depicting his car driving towards the elephants while tourists gathered nearby to take photographs. Khao Yai National Park subsequently issued a notice calling on him to acknowledge allegations of driving too close to the animals.
The incident occurred on September 18, when two elephants, identified as Phlai Nga Thong and Ton Kla, were crossing a road inside the park. Tourists who had stopped to photograph the elephants confronted Saroj after his car passed the animals. Online users also criticized his driving, suggesting it could have endangered the elephants, tourists, and himself. The elephants crossed the road safely and continued into the forest. Some online users urged park officials to take legal action.
Saroj later spoke to the media to explain his actions and dispute the allegations. He stated that he was driving home after visiting Chon Buri on September 18 when he encountered numerous cars and tourists stopped on the road. Saroj initially assumed a fallen tree was blocking the road, a common occurrence in Khao Yai during the rainy season, and mentioned he always carries a pruning saw to clear such obstructions.
Upon reaching the scene, Saroj found that traffic had stopped because a group of YouTubers and tourists were positioned across the road to photograph the two elephants. He claimed these visitors were standing too close to the animals as the elephants approached them. Saroj asserted that he then drove past the elephants at what he deemed a safe distance to reach the group and warn them to move further away.
The former park official denied any intention of hitting the elephants. He also stated that some tourists hit his car and swore at him during the confrontation. Saroj highlighted his familiarity with Khao Yai’s rules, having previously drafted guidance for visitors on how to behave when encountering elephants on park roads. He confirmed that Khao Yai National Park had issued him a notice requiring him to pay a fine for allegedly approaching the elephants too closely, a decision he disputes.
Saroj argued that if he is being penalized for coming within a certain distance of the elephants, then the tourists and YouTubers who were also in close proximity to the animals should face the same consequence. He also indicated his intention to file a complaint against current Khao Yai National Park rangers, alleging their improper conduct in allowing visitors to remain close to the elephants. As of the time of reporting, the Khao Yai National Park chief and other relevant officials had not responded to Saroj’s latest claims.