KANCHANABURI: Local officials want a tambon that borders on heavily forested mountains declared a disaster area because of the frequent raids by wild elephants.
Villagers in tambon Tha Khanoon of Thong Pha Phum district are suffering from the depredations of a herd of at least 50 elephants that has been raiding their crops.
Tambon chairman Jirachai Thanomwong is leading the move to declare the area a disaster zone so state assistance can be quickly funnelled to the affected people.
Thong Pha Phum district chief Sujin Sriwichian said he would raise the proposal with the provincial governor during a meeting on Friday.
Last month, a man was killed by the elephants while he and other villagers were trying to protect their crops in Thong Pha Phum district.
The animals' regular raids and aggressive behaviour are costing the villagers dearly, and many are too scared to go out into their fields. Teams of volunteers have been set up to try and protect crops in areas most prone to elephant invasion.
The wild elephant population in Thong Pha Phum district is increasing every year. In 2015, there were 20-30 jumbos in the area, but recent estimates put the number as high as 70.
