Phu Kradueng National Park in Loei province is set to welcome visitors once again next Monday, December 23 following a tragic incident involving a wild elephant attack that led to its temporary closure.
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) announced the reopening, emphasising enhanced safety measures to ensure the well-being of tourists at this popular northeastern destination.
Attapon Charoenchansa, who leads the department, explained that the decision to reopen comes after careful planning of safety protocols aimed at protecting visitors from potential wildlife threats. To facilitate this, visitors will be required to register and join a LINE chat application room.
The platform will serve as a channel for disseminating safety guidelines and alerting tourists to possible dangers posed by wild elephants.
Every visitor will pay a 10-baht insurance premium, which provides coverage of up to 300,000 baht. Additionally, tourists are advised to travel in groups of at least three and strictly adhere to designated trails and permitted areas to enhance safety.
To further ensure visitor safety, rapid-response teams of park rangers will patrol a 2-kilometre radius around tourist zones. This measure aims to provide swift assistance in case of any wildlife encounters or emergencies, said a spokesperson.
“There will be no garbage bins on Phu Kradueng because they attracted wild elephants.”
The park’s closure followed a fatal incident on December 11 when a visitor was attacked by a wild elephant. This prompted immediate action to reassess safety measures and temporarily close the site to prevent further incidents, reported Bangkok Post.
The department is committed to maintaining a balance between visitor enjoyment and wildlife conservation. By implementing these enhanced safety protocols, they aim to provide a secure and enjoyable experience for all who visit Phu Kradueng.
UPDATE: Phu Kradueng National Park shuts down after elephant attack
Phu Kradueng National Park in Loei province has been closed indefinitely after a wild elephant attacked and killed a female tourist. The Director General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), Atthaphon Charoenchansa, has vowed swift action to ensure safety.
In a chilling revelation, the same elephant has returned to the area where the attack occurred, on the path between Phra Phuttha Metta and Namtok Phen Phop Mai, raising fears of another incident, Atthaphon said.
“For safety reasons, all entrances to Phu Kradueng National Park have been temporarily closed.”
Atthaphon added that wildlife experts are working to control and push the elephant away from the tourist zones.
This marks the first recorded incident of a wild elephant attack in Phu Kradueng, and officials are taking no chances. Currently, one of 10 elephants in the area has ventured into tourist zones. If pushing the animal out proves ineffective, park officials may resort to setting up pens in remote locations to manage the elephants far from visitors.
Meanwhile, over 500 tourists remain stranded on the mountain. Rescue efforts are underway, with 279 individuals already escorted down to safety. The DNP director plans to oversee the operation personally by December 16.
Tourists who planned trips to the park are being offered compensation. Officials are urging visitors to stay away until the situation is declared safe, reported Thai PBS.
Phu Kradueng, a popular hiking destination, is famed for its waterfalls and panoramic views. However, this incident underscores the delicate balance between wildlife conservation and tourist safety. Until the rogue elephant is managed, Thailand’s beloved national park will remain off-limits.
ORIGINAL STORY: Wild elephant tragedy claims one life at Loei national park
A dream trip to Thailand turned into a nightmare after a tourist was fatally attacked by a wild elephant in the picturesque Phu Kradueng National Park yesterday, December 10. Officials swiftly closed parts of the park, known for its stunning red maple leaves and serene trails, to prevent further tragedies.
The victim, identified as 49 year old Jeeranan from Chachoengsao province, was walking alone on a trail from her camping site to the popular Phen Phop Mai waterfall when the attack occurred. Visitors alerted park rangers around 9.47am but tragically, officials found her lifeless body upon arrival.
“This is the first incident of its kind on this trail,” said Attapol Charoenchansa, Director General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP).
Attapol added that the track, along with other trails frequently used by wildlife, has been temporarily closed to ensure visitor safety.
“Other walking tracks remain open.”
The Phen Phop Mai waterfall area, a magnet for photographers during the cool season from late October to December, is renowned for its vibrant red maple leaves, which attract visitors from across the country.
Phu Kradueng police launched an investigation into the incident while the DNP has formed an internal panel to examine the circumstances surrounding Jeeranan’s death.
The park, nestled in Loei province, is one of Thailand’s most popular destinations during the cooler months. While the incident has shaken local officials and tourists alike, the closures aim to prevent further confrontations between humans and wildlife.
Visitors are advised to exercise extreme caution, stick to designated open trails, and heed all safety warnings while exploring the park’s breathtaking but unpredictable wilderness, reported Bangkok Post.
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