Police were summoned at 8am to the workers’ camp in Tha Takiap district that had been destroyed by a herd of about 30 elephants.

The man killed had been asleep when the attack began.

Police were told the camp was close to an elephant trail and a local village head had warned the workers, but no fires were set to ward off wildlife.

A dog was heard barking in the area and might have panicked the elephants.