Loei: Wild elephants raided villagers' crops, causing panic as villagers fled up into the trees. Wild elephants in Phon Sung Subdistrict, Dan Sai District, Loei Province, entered villagers' fields to eat crops, causing panic and forcing villagers to flee, with one elephant perishing in a tree before authorities were contacted for rescue.

According to Thai News Agency, the image of wild elephants in Phon Sung Subdistrict, Dan Sai District, Loei Province, was taken by a photographer from a distance for safety reasons. This was necessary because the photographer needed to pinpoint the location before embarking on a trek to rescue villagers who had fled and were stuck in trees. Mr. Suchart Butprom, the village headman of Na Lan Khao, was informed by villagers working in their fields behind the village that wild elephants from Phu Luang Mountain had entered their farms to feed on their crops, causing panic and forcing them to jump into trees. The villagers then contacted forestry officials from the Phu Khon unit to help drive the elephants away from the villagers' fields.

This wild elephant has long inhabited the area of Phon Sung Subdistrict, Dan Sai District, Loei Province. It refuses to leave and often roams around villagers' fields, requiring them to take turns guarding it for safety. On January 31, 2026, approximately 20 wild elephants from Phu Luang Mountain emerged from the forest to forage for crops and damaged villagers' huts and shelters. Villagers and forestry officials successfully drove the elephants away.