Temple boys told the police that several wild elephants entered the temple area last night as they used to in the past few months looking for food.
The incident happened Sunday night at Wat Khao Cha-om temple in Village Group 8 of Tambon Sator of Khao Saming district. However the body of the monk identified later as Phra Prasit Jakavaro.
Boys at the Temple told the police that several wild elephants entered the temple area late at night as they used to in the past few months looking for food.
Phra Prasit came out of his living place to chase the elephants as usual, however this time one elephant didn’t go but instead charged at the monk. Phra Prasit ran around a mango tree in bid to escape but didn’t make it.
The Enraged Elephant grabbed him with his trunk and smashed him into a tree and then stepped on his head.
He died with his face to the ground near the tree. His face was crushed and his skull and several bones were also broken.
The abbot of the temple said wild elephants coming down from mountains for food was a chronic problem of the temple and villagers.
He said two years ago a villager was also killed by wild elephants in the same area.
Rescue Workers assist with body of Buddhist monk Phra Prasit Jakavaro