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Bull Elephant Attacks Handler, Injures Him During Mating

Bull Elephant Attacks Handler, Injures Him During Mating

Khaosod•Society•1h ago

Reader Briefing

A 35-year-old elephant handler was severely injured, suffering a punctured lung and broken leg, after being attacked and gored by a 19-year-old bull elephant named Phlai Phet Uthai, who was in musth.

  • •A 35-year-old elephant handler, Mr. Somporn Suttiso, was critically injured by a 19-year-old bull elephant while delivering food.
  • •The bull elephant, Phlai Phet Uthai, was in musth and had just completed a mating session with a female elephant.
  • •The incident occurred in Ban Non That, Mue 6, Tambon Tha Muang, Amphoe Stu, Buriram Province.

Overview

  • •On February 16, approximately 11:30 AM, a bull elephant named Phlai Phet Uthai attacked its handler.
  • •On February 17, 2026, veterinarians and officials inspected the incident site.
  • •The bull elephant, Phlai Phet Uthai, was in musth and reacted aggressively when the handler tripped while delivering food, perceiving it as a threat.
  • •The elephant was undergoing a mating process with a female elephant prior to the attack.
  • •Handler Mr. Somporn Suttiso sustained a punctured lung and a broken leg, requiring surgery and currently remains unconscious.
  • •The elephant also damaged two vehicles and five highway signs.
  • •Mr. Ban Suttiso, the injured handler's father, denied pressuring the elephant for mating, attributing the attack to the elephant's musth and the handler's accidental fall.
  • •The family will discuss whether to continue keeping the elephant once the handler recovers, given the deep bond the son has with the animal.

Full article content is available on the original source.

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Key Quotes

Mr. Ban Suttiso
"The incident occurred after mating was complete and it was the last day to prepare to bring the elephant back. It might be because the elephant was in musth and possessive of the female, combined with the moment my son tripped while bringing grass. This startled the elephant, who was already wary, making him think my son would do something. It was his instinct to protect himself."
ส่วนเหตุการณ์ที่เกิดขึ้นก็เกิดหลังจากผสมพันธุ์กันเสร็จแล้ว และเป็นวันสุดท้ายที่เตรียมจะนำช้างกลับแล้ว แต่อาจเป็นเพราะช้างตกมันหวงตัวเมีย ประกอบกับจังหวะที่ลูกชายเอาหญ้าไปให้เกิดสะดุดล้ม ทำให้ช้างที่ยังมีอาการระแวงอยู่แล้วเกิดตกใจ คิดว่าลูกชายจะทำอะไรเขา ก็เป็นสัญชาติญาณที่เขาจะป้องกันตัวเอง
Mr. Ban Suttiso
"I have to take care of Phlai Phet Uthai in place of my son for now."
ตนเองก็ต้องดูแลเจ้าพลายเพชรอุทัยแทนลูกชายไปก่อน

Key Entities

Person

Mr. Somporn Suttiso(นายสมพร สุทธิโส)
The 35-year-old elephant handler who was severely injured by Phlai Phet Uthai.
Dr. Apichart Suwanchairob(นายสัตวแพทย์อภิชาติ สุวรรณชัยรบ)
The Provincial Livestock Officer of Buriram who assigned inspection of the incident.
Dr. Suriya Kaowongklang(นายสัตวแพทย์สุริยะ กาวงษ์กลาง)
Head of Animal Health Development Group at the Buriram Provincial Livestock Office, who provided details on the incident.
Dr. Buntree Yubram(นายสัตวแพทย์บุญตรี ยุบรัมย์)
The Livestock Officer of Amphoe Stu, involved in the inspection.
Mr. Uthai Yeram(นายอุทัย เยรัมย์)
The village headman of Tambon Tha Muang, who participated in the inspection.
Mr. Ban Suttiso(นายบาน สุทธิโส)
The father of the injured elephant handler, who commented on the incident and denied that his son rushed the elephant's mating.

Organization

Elephant Hospital, Kui Buri Project(สถานพยาบาลช้าง โครงการคชอาณาจักร)
An institution that provided a medical team and staff to inspect the elephant incident.

Place

Buriram(บุรีรัมย์)ℹ️
The province where the incident occurred.
Ban Non That, Moo 6, Tambon Tha Muang, Amphoe Stu(บ้านโนนธาตุ หมู่ 6 ต.ท่าม่วง อ.สตึก)
The specific location where the bull elephant attacked its handler and caused property damage.