Upon hearing farmers’ complaints, Khao Chamao-Khao Wong National Park head Sampan Pholpho and officials inspected the damage at a 40-rai fruit orchard in Tambon Khao Noi belonging to villager Ampai Sikhao, 56.

She told officials that the elephant herd entered the orchard at around 1am or 2am on Sunday and there were elephant footprints all over her property.

At another 30-rai oil palm plantation in Tambon Khao Cha Khor, owner Nopporn Panathisak said elephants had pulled out many two-metre-tall palm trees.

Sampan said officials would look for the herd and try to push them further into the forest. He also said he would ask related agencies to provide aid and compensation to the farm owners.