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A grocery run took a wild turn in Pak Chong, Thailand, this week when a hungry elephant decided to do his own shopping. Plai Biang Lek, a male elephant from nearby Khao Yai National Park, wandered into town and straight into a local grocery store, surprising the shopkeepers inside.
Video footage shows the elephant rummaging through shelves, snacking as he goes, while the shop owner, Kamploy Kakaew, can be heard trying to shoo him away. National park workers also attempted to escort the elephant out, but he seemed unfazed by their efforts, continuing to munch on various items, leaving a trail of crumbs and mud in his wake. The elephant eventually backed out of the store, but not before grabbing a parting gift – a bag of snacks clutched triumphantly in his trunk.
According to Kakaew, Plai Biang Lek helped himself to several items she had purchased that morning, including nine bags of sweet rice crackers, a sandwich, and some dried bananas. “This sandwich,” she said, “the whole pack was gone.” Fortunately, no one was injured during the incident.
While elephants are revered in Thai culture as symbols of royalty and strength, encounters between humans and elephants can sometimes turn dangerous. The wild elephant population has dwindled over the years due to habitat loss and poaching, increasing the likelihood of such interactions. Thailand continues to grapple with the challenge of protecting both its people and its elephant population.