Woman Dies in Elephant Bath Incident: Thai Gajah Tourist Attraction Under Scrutiny Again
A Spanish woman tourist, 22-year-old Blanca Ojanguren García, lost her life in a tragic incident involving an elephant while participating in a gajah bathing activity in Koh Yao, Thailand. The local mahout, Theerayut Inthaphudkij, 38, has been identified as a suspect in the case.
García sustained severe head injuries after being pushed by the elephant during the bathing activity and later succumbed to her injuries at a local hospital. Inthaphudkij is believed to have been negligent in his duties, leading to the unfortunate incident.
This incident has reignited concerns about the ethical and safety aspects of elephant tourism in Thailand, a practice long criticized by animal rights groups as unethical and dangerous. Activists argue that such activities disrupt the elephants’ natural behaviors and can cause harm and stress to the animals.
Experts suggest that the involved elephant, a 45-year-old female named Phang Somboon, might have been stressed due to interactions with tourists. García was accompanied by her partner during the incident.
According to World Animal Protection, an international nonprofit organization, nearly 3,000 elephants are on display at various tourist attractions across Thailand. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) stated to BBC that incidents like these highlight the dangers for both humans and elephants in these settings.
"This incident underscores the danger of ‘sanctuaries’ that allow tourists to touch, feed, bathe, or interact closely with elephants in any way – these aren’t sanctuaries for elephants and put both human and animal lives at risk," said PETA’s Senior Vice President, Jason Baker.
Similar charges of negligence have been previously filed against elephant handlers. In 2017, a camp owner and his mahout were charged after an elephant they were responsible for killed a Chinese tour guide and injured two others in Pattaya. In 2013, a 27-year-old elephant was shot after attacking and killing a woman.
García, a law and international relations student at the University of Navarra in Spain, was participating in a student exchange program in Taiwan. She arrived in Thailand on December 26, 2024.
Spain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jose Manuel Albares, confirmed that the Spanish consulate in Bangkok is providing assistance to García’s family during this difficult time.
