At about 10am, Pol Maj Kittipong Nupheng of the Cherng Talay Police was alerted by concerned residents that the elephant had broken free and was roaming from Soi Cherng Talay 3, heading toward Cherng Talay Witthayakom School.
Witnesses reported the elephant had a scaffolding pole tangled around its neck, which caused minor damage to a vehicle along its path.
Police, under the direction of Pol Col Wiraphong Rakkhito, immediately deployed a patrol unit to the scene to assess the situation and ensure public safety. Initial investigations revealed that a car window had been damaged during the incident, though no injuries or fatalities were reported.
The escape caused further alarm when the elephant wandered onto school grounds, prompting officers to coordinate with a veterinarian and the animal’s mahout (handler) to come up with a way to safely capture the pachyderm. Witnesses reported that the elephant appeared agitated and unapproachable, likely due to the stress of the unfamiliar surroundings and noise.
The situation was eventually resolved when the elephant left the school premises and waded into a nearby canal. With the combined efforts of the mahout and authorities, the animal was safely returned to its camp, Elephant Care Park, without further incident.
Natthaphong Chuphak, 30, the manager of the camp, explained that the elephant had fled the camp after being startled by the sound of a car horn. He expressed gratitude to the police and the community for their swift assistance in resolving the matter.
Video footage of the incident, released by Cherng Talay Police Station, shows the elephant’s journey through the village streets and the efforts made to bring it back safely. While the escape caused temporary disruption, the quick response from all involved ensured a safe conclusion to the tense episode.