Spooked elephant rampages at Thai festival, injuring five VIDEO

A 10-year-old male elephant named Plai Khun Thong went on a terrifying rampage at a festival in Nong Bua Lamphu province, Thailand, after being spooked by fireworks during the carnival's opening ceremony on January 18.

The elephant, accompanied by its keeper, Sanga, 46, was brought to the event to sell sugarcane, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

However, the animal became agitated by the loud explosions and bolted through the crowded fairground, knocking over tents, stalls, and several pedestrians in its path.

Footage from the chaotic scene showed villagers fleeing in panic as the elephant charged through the crowd. Five people were injured and taken to the provincial hospital, though none sustained serious injuries.

One of the victims, Yanee, a 51-year-old grandmother, recounted her harrowing experience:
"I turned around to see what was going on and saw the elephant running towards me. I couldn't react in time, and it hit me. I fell and twisted my ankle, but my grandson was fine. We are lucky we weren't crushed."

Local authorities acted swiftly to manage the situation. Governor Surasak Aksornkul confirmed that the injured had been discharged from the hospital and urged them to file complaints against the elephant's owner. He also announced a ban on bringing elephants into the fairground:
"This incident could have been avoided. I have ordered officials to assist the injured and ensure such incidents do not happen again."

The keeper, Sanga, admitted to not seeking the required permission to bring the elephant to the festival. Police have detained him, and Officer Dejsuwan Srihom stated that the suspect faces charges for moving the animal without authorization. The offence carries a maximum penalty of one year in jail, a fine of up to £477, or both.

Thailand has a long history of using elephants in captivity, with around 4,000 currently employed in industries such as tourism, ceremonies, and logging. However, the practice has drawn criticism from animal rights groups calling for a ban on elephant ownership due to frequent reports of abuse and accidents.

By Aghakazim Guliyev