{
  "id": 9309710,
  "title": "Former park official defends his decision to drive through elephants",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/former-park-official-defends-his-decision-to-drive-through-elephants",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-23T07:15:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Thaiger",
    "slug": "the-thaiger",
    "url": "https://thethaiger.com/news/national/ex-park-ranger-challenges-find-for-driving-too-close-to-elephants"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A former assistant to Khao Yai National Park's head defended his decision to drive through two wild elephants on a park road, disputing a fine issued after a video surfaced. Saroj Praphan, the driver, claimed he initially mistook a fallen tree for the obstruction blocking the road. He said he had a pruning saw in his car to help clear such obstacles, but upon arriving, found tourists and YouTubers standing too close to the elephants, causing him to drive past at a safe distance. Saroj denied attempting to harm the elephants, stating that some tourists had hit his car and sworn at him during the confrontation. He also disputed that he should be penalized for adhering to Khao Yai's guidelines on elephant encounters, as the tourists and YouTubers who were similarly close to the animals should face the same consequences. Saroj planned to file a complaint against park rangers for allegedly allowing visitors to remain too close to the elephants.",
  "summary": "A former assistant to the head of Khao Yai National Park disputed a fine issued after a video showed his sedan passing close to two wild elephants on a road inside the park. The driver, identified as Saroj Praphan, faced criticism after footage showed his sedan driving towards two elephants while tourists were gathered nearby taking … The story Former park official defends his decision to drive…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}