THIS IS WHY THE ELEPHANTS SHOULD STAY IN THEIR OWN HABITAT AND NOT ON THE STREETS OF BANGKOK OR ELSEWHERE. PLEASE HELP US PUT A STOP ON THIS

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ACCIDENT

A seven-year-old male elephant and a 16-year-old boy were killed and two people injured when hit by a pick-up truck while crossing a road in Bangkok in the early hours of yesterday. The elephant, Phlai Boonmee, and the youth, identified only as Chit, died on the spot. Sitthichai Yiawaram, 12, suffered injuries to his head and Kongsit Thalerngsuk, 24, scrapes and bruising.

Phlai Boonmee, a seven-year-old bull elephant, died after being hit by a pick-up truck on Srinakarin road in the early hours of yesterday. The elephant was brought to Bangkok by its owner to beg for food and money.
The vehicle's driver, Surachai Sunthornpadakul, 40, had a cut under his eye. The injured people were taken to Vibhavadi Ram hospital.

The elephant's owner, Boonchan Yiawaram, 36, said he, his son Sitthichai and their neighbours came from Buri Ram two days ago to beg for food and money in Bangkok.

After roaming the streets near Lam Salee intersection in Bang Kapi district on Wednesday evening, they had returned to the place in Srinakarin road where they were staying, and were hit by the speeding vehicle as they crossed the road, Mr Boonchan said.

Suebsakul Khemthong said the driver was charged with reckless driving causing death and injury.

Eyewitnesses said the driver appeared to be drunk, Pol Lt-Col Suebsakul said.

Soraida Salwala, founder of the Friends of the Asian Elephant foundation, said the problems of elephants roaming the streets had gone on for too long.

The authorities paid only lip service to improving the welfare of the roaming elephants and the mahouts.

''This accident could have been prevented. Elephants should not roam about in cities. They should stay where they belong,'' Ms Soraida said.

She would ask Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin to make sure Bangkok is free of roaming elephants.

She was also seeking legal avenues for action against people involved in abusing elephants and against high-ranking officials who turn a blind eye to the problem