An upset bull elephant attacked its owner and damaged two vehicles while being forced to mate in a field outside an elephant village in the north of Buri Ram province.
It happened in a dry paddy field in Ban Non That, in Satuek district at about 11.30am on Monday.
The owner of the cow elephant had hired the bull to mate with his animal.
While the bull's owner, Somporn Sudthiso, 35, was urging 19-year-old Pet-uthai to mate with the female, the male elephant became increasingly agitated and then turned on and attacked Mr Somporn.
It also attacked and smashed the two men's vehicles, which were parked in the field.
Officials were called to the scene. They used tranquiliser darts to calm the bull elephant. It took about two hours for the drug to take effect.
Mr Somporn's lungs were ruptured during the attack. He was rushed to hospital.
