Military personnel brandishing a knife near a wild elephant to confront will face legal repercussions.
Spotlight on the Khao Yai Stunt:
A nerve-wracking video clip circulating on social media has caused quite a stir – it shows a bold guy in black, sporting a knife and a guitar, advancing towards a colossal wild elephant. All eyes are now on this daring fellow, as he's just been identified, and faces impending charges.
According to reports, this audacious adventurer is none other than a Thai soldier, age roughly 30, with a history of mental health issues. The drama unfolded at the Thung Khao Kheow location within Muang district, Nakhon Nayok province, part of the renowned Khao Yai National Park.
In the viral video, the man's face is hidden, but his left hand gripping a knife, and his elevated right hand flashing an "OK" gesture are plain as day. Sensibly, the elephant stepped back, escaping the imminent danger posed by this reckless encounter. Commenting on the page "Where is the Elephant?", the poster warned, "You narrowly escaped with the 'OK' sign, but future escapes might not be so fortunate."
The park's director, Chaiya Huaihongthong, confirmed that the man flouted several rules. He brought a weapon into the park, contravening Section 19(7) of the National Park Acts, and disregarded the instructions of park officials, as stated in Section 20. Moreover, his actions dragged him into the web of the 2020 Department of National Parks’ regulations on park access (Articles 4(4) and 8) [5].
Park rangers, armed with the authorities' support, are hot on the man's heels. They're on high alert, positioning themselves around the area where he's believed to be hiding, hoping to nab him soon [5]. Remember, next time, it might not be just luck that saves you if you're found flirting with danger in the wild. Wildlife conservation isn't a game, and safety should always be our top priority. #KhaoYai #WildlifeSafety #ConservationMatters
- Apparently, the individual in the viral video, who flashed an "OK" gesture towards an elephant in the Khao Yai National Park, is a Thai soldier with a history of mental health issues.
- The footage, which depicts this bold move in the health-and-wellness segment of general news, has sparked concern and discussion about the importance of mental health awareness and following safety guidelines.
- The act was not only a breach of park regulations, as the man brought a weapon into the park and disregarded park officials' instructions (Section 19(7) and Section 20 of the National Park Acts, and Articles 4(4) and 8 of the 2020 Department of National Parks’ regulations), but it also falls under the crime-and-justice category, as he now faces charges for his dangerous gesture.
- While the man narrowly escaped the consequences in this instance, the greeting he used might not be as fortunate in future encounters with wildlife, serving as a reminder that wild animals should be treated with caution and respect, and that safety should always be a priority.
- With park rangers on high alert, actively searching for the suspect in the Khao Yai National Park, the focus remains on the importance of adhering to wild strict guidelines for the safety and well-being of both humans and animals within the park ecosystem. #KhaoYai #WildlifeSafety #ConservationMatters
