NAKHON SI THAMMARAT: Veterinarians were operating on a male domesticated elephant with gunshot wounds on Wednesday, with little progress in the case against a local leader who fired the shots and was asked to pay the owner 2 million baht in compensation.
Vets from Walailak University, Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya, Prommakhiri animal hospital and Nakhon Si Thammarat livestock office went to tambon Thonhong in Prommakhiri district to treat Phlai Somchok.
The young elephant, owned by mahout Somchai Yoothongkham, was hit five times - in both front legs, its trunk, and two spots near its mouth.
Vet Kriruek Chaithi, of Prommakhiri animal hospital, said a bullet was lodged in the animal's front right leg. He had tried unsuccessfully to remove it. It was buried at least 8 inches deep in the leg tissue.
Vet Ratthaphan Pattanarangsan, of Walailak University, said the bullet went through the leg bone. They were worried the wound would become infected.
While the vets were administering a tranquilliser, Phlai Somchot became very agitated and ran away along a creek, panicking the vets and local residents who came to give the animal moral support.
The animal stopped 200 metres away and calmed down, and they were able to continue their treatment. (continues below)
Mr Somchai, 62, has demanded 2 million baht compensation from Khanit Khunlok, the kamnan of tambon Thonhong who shot his elephant.
The mahout said he and Mr Khanit had been called in for talks at Prommakhiri police station on Sunday.
Mr Khanit had admitted shooting the elephant and implicated another person as well, according to Mr Somchai.
The mahout said he had demanded 2 million baht because Phlai Somchot was his main means of sustaining his famiy. Shooting the elephant was tantamount to destroying his livelihood.
He would use the compensation to buy a new elephant, as he was not certain Phlai Somchok would be able to work again. The animal was badly hurt. He vowed to fight for justice to the end.
Pol Col Thaksin Phochakorn, chief of Prommakhiri station, said legal action would be taken, but declined to give details of the investigation.
He wanted the two sides, both natives of the district, to talk it out first.
Mr Somchai said his elephant was in musth before the incident, so he had chained him near a sand pond belonging to the local leader.
On Feb 16, Mr Khanit phoned and asked him to move the elephant away because he wanted to dig out some sand. Mr Somchai said he replied he would move the animal the following day. He needed to buy a new chain first.
When he went to move his elephant the following day, he found the jumbo had several bullet wounds. Local residents confirmed they had heard gunshots. Mr Khanit later admitted he shot the elephant, claiming the animal had attacked his backhoe.
