A former assistant to the head of Khao Yai National Park has contested a fine levied against him following an incident where his car was filmed passing closely by two wild elephants on a park road. The driver, identified as Saroj Praphan, faced significant public criticism after video footage emerged showing his sedan proceeding towards the elephants while tourists were present, taking photographs.
Incident Details and Public Reaction
The event occurred on September 18, within the boundaries of Khao Yai National Park. The two elephants, named Phlai Nga Thong and Ton Kla, were in the process of crossing a road when the encounter took place. Following the incident, tourists who had stopped to observe and photograph the elephants reportedly confronted Saroj. Widespread criticism also emerged online, with many users expressing concern that his driving maneuver could have endangered the elephants, the tourists, and himself.
Following the public outcry, Khao Yai National Park authorities issued a notice requiring Saroj to address the allegations concerning his proximity to the elephants. Some online commentators urged park officials to pursue legal action against him.
Saroj Praphan’s Account of the Event
Saroj Praphan later addressed the media to present his perspective and dispute the claims made against him. He explained that on the day of the incident, he was driving back from Chon Buri when he encountered a line of stopped vehicles and a gathering of tourists on the road. Initially, he believed a fallen tree might be obstructing the path, a common occurrence in Khao Yai during the rainy season, and mentioned he carries a pruning saw to clear such obstacles.
Upon reaching the location, Saroj stated he realized the traffic jam was caused by a group of tourists and content creators, described as YouTubers, who were positioned on the road to photograph the two elephants. He asserted that these individuals were standing too close to the animals as the elephants approached.
Justification for Driving Past Elephants
Saroj maintained that his intention was not to endanger or strike the elephants. He claimed he drove past them at what he perceived to be a safe distance specifically to reach the group of onlookers and urge them to move to a safer position away from the animals. He vehemently denied any intention of hitting the elephants.
During the confrontation with the tourists, Saroj alleged that some individuals struck his car and directed abusive language towards him. He also highlighted his familiarity with park regulations, noting that he had previously been involved in drafting guidelines for visitor conduct when encountering elephants on park roads.
Disputing the Fine and Park Official Conduct
Saroj confirmed that Khao Yai National Park had issued him a notice demanding payment of a fine for allegedly driving too close to the elephants. However, he formally disputed this action. He argued that if he was to be penalized for approaching within a certain distance, then the tourists and content creators who were also in close proximity to the elephants should face similar consequences.
Furthermore, Saroj indicated his intention to file a formal complaint against current Khao Yai National Park rangers. He accused them of misconduct, specifically for allegedly allowing visitors to remain in dangerously close proximity to the wild animals.
Official Response Pending
As of the time of reporting, the chief of Khao Yai National Park and other relevant officials had not yet released a statement or response regarding Saroj Praphan’s latest claims and his dispute of the fine.
The incident underscores the ongoing challenges in managing human-wildlife interactions within national parks, particularly in popular tourist destinations like Khao Yai, where balancing visitor safety, animal welfare, and the preservation of natural behavior remains a critical concern for park management.
