Wild Elephant 'Jao Rot Ko' Raids Buriram Temple, Bows to Buddha
A wild elephant known as 'Jao Rot Ko' entered the Suan Tham Pa Kok Sila temple in Buriram province overnight, causing extensive damage and injuring a monk who fled. The elephant surprisingly stopped at a statue of King Rama V and later knelt before the main Buddha image in an apparent show of respect before leaving. Local volunteers are requesting equipment to manage future encounters, as the elephant is believed to be in musth.
"Jao Rot Ko," a male wild elephant, stormed a temple in the middle of the night, rampaging and destroying property. Monks panicked and fled, with one injured. Astonishingly, the elephant walked to a stop, lowered its front legs before the principal Buddha image in a gesture resembling respect, before walking away.
On October 21, 2026, reporters revealed a startling pre-dawn incident involving "Jao Rot Ko," a male wild elephant that invaded the Suan Tham Pa Kok Sila temple in Ban Nong Samet, Lam Nang Rong subdistrict, Non Din Daeng district, Buriram province. The elephant destroyed property, leaving it shattered, and attempted to enter the sala (open pavilion) as if searching for people resting inside, terrifying the monks who had to jump and flee, resulting in one injury. A bewildering scene followed when the elephant paused at a statue of King Rama V, then walked to the principal Buddha image and lowered its front legs in a manner resembling a bow or paying respect, before departing the temple grounds.
Phra Ajarn Jakraphan Chanthapanyo, abbot of Suan Tham Pa Kok Sila, recounted that late the previous night while sitting before the principal Buddha image "Phra Phuttha Maha Chakkraphat Silapabpit" in the main sala, he heard a wild elephant destroying property outside. He tried to contact the wild elephant response team for help but found his phone had no credit. Meanwhile, the elephant approached the kuti (monk's dwelling) where he was sitting, appearing to search for the occupant before tearing up and scattering belongings, creating great fear among the monks present.
After damaging the sala area, the elephant walked to the King Rama V statue and stood there before proceeding to the principal Buddha image. Upon reaching it, the elephant lowered its front legs in a gesture resembling a bow or showing respect, then left the temple without directly attacking the abbot. However, Phra Ajarn sustained two injuries to his right arm from jumping to escape. In the four years he has resided there, wild elephants have visited many times, but never with such severe property destruction, raising safety concerns for the monks and nearby villagers who tap rubber and farm in the area.
Phuchong Sri Chinloet, head of the Ban Nong Samet Wild Elephant Response Volunteer Group, stated that "Jao Rot Ko" is a male wild elephant aged about 40, frequently seen in the area. The group has previously driven it back toward the forest boundary several times. Given its destructive behavior and aggression, they suspect the elephant may be in musth, requiring extra vigilance. They appealed for donations of necessary equipment: solar-powered lights to illuminate the temple and risk areas; high-powered headlamps for night patrols; and at least one two-way radio so the abbot can contact the response team directly in emergencies without relying solely on a mobile phone.
Those wishing to support equipment or seek more details can contact Phuchong Sri Chinloet, head of the Ban Nong Samet Wild Elephant Response Volunteer Group, or coordinate through Samrong Khimthong, head of the Ban Kok Phet Wild Elephant Response Network. They also warned the public: if a wild elephant approaches a community or residence, do not approach, provoke, or attempt to drive it away yourself. Stay in a safe place and immediately notify officials or the local wild elephant response team to prevent potential danger.
