Wild Elephant Causes Damage at Buriram Monastery
A wild elephant known as 'Jao Rot Koh' caused property damage and injured a monk during a nighttime intrusion at a monastery in Buriram province.
On the night of October 20, 2026, a male wild elephant identified by locals as 'Jao Rot Koh' entered the Suan Tham Pa Khok Sila monastery in Non Din Daeng district, Buriram province. According to Khaosod Online, the elephant caused significant property damage to the facility's pavilions and structures while searching for occupants.
During the incident, a monk, Phra Ajarn Jakrapan Jantapanyo, sustained injuries to his right arm while attempting to escape the animal. The monk reported that he was unable to contact local elephant-repelling teams due to a lack of phone credit during the encounter. Witnesses described a peculiar moment where the elephant paused before a statue of King Rama V and then knelt before the main Buddha statue, appearing to show respect before departing the premises.
For residents and travelers in the area, this incident highlights the ongoing risks associated with human-wildlife conflict in regions bordering protected forests. While the elephant did not directly attack the monk, the destruction of property and the resulting injury underscore the importance of maintaining distance from wild animals. It remains to be confirmed what measures local authorities will implement to prevent further incursions by the elephant into the monastery grounds or nearby residential areas.
