The incident raises critical questions about the ethical considerations of elephant tourism in the country.
Mahout Faces Charges as Elephant Incident Claims Tourist Life
Mahout Faces Charges as Elephant Incident Claims Tourist Life
A tragic elephant attack in Thailand has resulted in a mahout being charged with negligence after a Spanish tourist was fatally injured.
In a startling incident that has sparked renewed outrage against Thailand’s elephant tourism practices, a mahout has been charged after a Spanish tourist died from injuries inflicted by an elephant under his care. The accused, Theerayut Inthaphudkij, aged 38, faces charges of negligence leading to death, as announced by local authorities on Monday.
The victim, 22-year-old Blanca Ojanguren García, was reportedly bathing the 45-year-old female elephant named Phang Somboon at the Koh Yao Elephant Care Centre when she was attacked. Witnesses, including García's boyfriend who was present during the tragic event, detailed how the elephant gored her with its tusks, resulting in a severe head injury that later led to her death in a hospital.
This unfortunate incident has highlighted ongoing concerns voiced by animal rights advocates regarding the elephant tourism industry in Thailand, which houses nearly 3,000 elephants in tourist attractions, according to estimates from international charity World Animal Protection. Activists have long criticized practices such as elephant bathing, arguing that they disrupt the animals' natural behaviors and subject them to unnecessary stress.
Following the attack, experts commented that the elephant may have experienced stress due to interactions with tourists. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) emphasized the dangers posed to both humans and elephants in such scenarios, with senior vice president Jason Baker condemning any institutions that permit close human-elephant interaction.
Additionally, this isn't the first time negligence charges have been brought against mahouts. Previous incidents, such as a 2017 case where a Chinese tour guide was killed, illustrate the risks associated with the interaction between tourists and elephants.
Blanca García was pursuing a degree in law and international relations at Spain's University of Navarra and was participating in a student exchange program in Taiwan. She had only recently arrived in Thailand with her boyfriend on December 26, 2024. Spain's foreign minister, Jose Manuel Albares, confirmed that the Spanish consulate in Bangkok is offering assistance to García's grieving family.
As Thailand's elephant tourism industry faces increased scrutiny, the future of these attractions remains uncertain.
The victim, 22-year-old Blanca Ojanguren García, was reportedly bathing the 45-year-old female elephant named Phang Somboon at the Koh Yao Elephant Care Centre when she was attacked. Witnesses, including García's boyfriend who was present during the tragic event, detailed how the elephant gored her with its tusks, resulting in a severe head injury that later led to her death in a hospital.
This unfortunate incident has highlighted ongoing concerns voiced by animal rights advocates regarding the elephant tourism industry in Thailand, which houses nearly 3,000 elephants in tourist attractions, according to estimates from international charity World Animal Protection. Activists have long criticized practices such as elephant bathing, arguing that they disrupt the animals' natural behaviors and subject them to unnecessary stress.
Following the attack, experts commented that the elephant may have experienced stress due to interactions with tourists. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) emphasized the dangers posed to both humans and elephants in such scenarios, with senior vice president Jason Baker condemning any institutions that permit close human-elephant interaction.
Additionally, this isn't the first time negligence charges have been brought against mahouts. Previous incidents, such as a 2017 case where a Chinese tour guide was killed, illustrate the risks associated with the interaction between tourists and elephants.
Blanca García was pursuing a degree in law and international relations at Spain's University of Navarra and was participating in a student exchange program in Taiwan. She had only recently arrived in Thailand with her boyfriend on December 26, 2024. Spain's foreign minister, Jose Manuel Albares, confirmed that the Spanish consulate in Bangkok is offering assistance to García's grieving family.
As Thailand's elephant tourism industry faces increased scrutiny, the future of these attractions remains uncertain.
