Charles Esther
An elephant ran loose in a supermarket in the north-eastern Thai city of Nakhon Ratchasima, causing surprisingly little damage.
The 25-year-old elephant, named Plai Biang Lek, wandered through the store on Monday afternoon.
Footage showed the large animal eating rice cakes and chicken eggs as it roamed the aisles.
The elephant spent about 10 minutes inside before becoming stuck in the ceiling.
Shopkeeper Khamploy Gakaew managed to persuade the elephant to leave the store without further incident.
After calculating the damage, the total loss was just 1,000 baht, roughly £22.70.
Shopkeeper’s Reaction to the Elephant Visit
Gakaew expressed surprise at the elephant’s unusual visit.
He said this was the first time an elephant had entered the store and hoped it would not return.
He was concerned about the possible damage but was relieved it was minimal.
Gakaew noted that Plai Biang Lek ate sweet rice cakes and chicken eggs, which was unusual as elephants typically seek salty foods.
He added that while wild elephants sometimes bother street food vendors, entering a supermarket was highly uncommon.
Wildlife Rangers Escort the Elephant Back to the Forest
After leaving the store, the elephant was escorted back to the nearby forest by wildlife rangers.
Rangers are monitoring Plai Biang Lek to prevent further visits to populated areas.
Elephants require up to 150 kilograms of food daily, equivalent to about 375 tins of baked beans.
Changing Diet of Wild Elephants
Thai conservationists say wild elephants are increasingly seeking human food, rummaging through homes and vehicles for high-calorie snacks.
This shift in diet is replacing their usual intake of bland woodland leaves.
Tragic Elephant Incident Earlier This Year
While Plai Biang Lek’s visit caused little harm, not all elephant encounters end so peacefully.
Earlier this year, a Spanish tourist died after being struck by an elephant at an animal sanctuary in Thailand.
Blanca Ojanguren Garcia, aged 22 and from Valladolid, was bathing an elephant in January at the Koh Yao sanctuary on Yao Yai island.
The elephant suddenly knocked her down, causing fatal injuries.
Garcia was taken to a hospital but later died from her injuries.
Local police and the elephant care centre confirmed the incident.
Clarifying Details of the Tragic Accident
Initial reports mistakenly said Garcia was gored, but these were later corrected.
The sanctuary closed temporarily following the tragic accident.
Around 18 people, including Garcia’s boyfriend, were present at the time, but no others were injured.
This incident highlights the potential dangers involved in close interactions with wild animals, even those that appear docile.
