Elephant tramples mum, 49, to death while she tried to run away in horror attack at national park in Thailand

AN elephant has trampled a mum to death while she tried to run away from it in a horror attack in Thailand.

Jiranan Panyaprasertying, 49, was exploring one of the country's national parks with a pal when they were chased by the charging wild beast.

Tragically, Jiranan tripped as she fled with the angry elephant then stepping on her head and crushing her skull.

The attack on Wednesday in Phu Kradueng National Park shocked rangers who attended the scene and found the woman splayed on the grass.

Police Major General Pongpipat Siripornwiwat said cops sent a helicopter and questioned the friend over the attack.

The pal said Jiranan had been walking some 700ft (200m) ahead of her when she was attacked by the elephant.

Park officials said it was the first time a tourist had been attacked along the trail and the park is now closed.

He said: "The National Parks Department would like to express its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and ask that tourists strictly follow the advice of officials for safety while traveling."

He added that Jiranan's family will receive 100,000THB (£2,300) of financial aid from the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection.

Local media reported it was Jiranan's first time going on a hike at the national park.

A day before her death, she had written on social media: "By the time we arrived, my legs were almost unable to move.

"I felt discouraged when I saw the stairs, but the view up there was breathtaking! This was my first time hiking at Phu Kradueng."

Phu Kradueng National Park is one of the most popular parks in Thailand.

Tourists often visit the waterfall area that is home to a forest of maple trees, whose leaves turn a vibrant red in the cold season from October to December.

Unlike most national parks in the country, there is no guide requirement for walking the longer trails.

The fatal attack comes a month after a bull elephant went berserk during a religious ceremony and trampled a woman to death.

The bull was made to march around a temple to mark the end of the local Buddhist monks' retreat.

However, it went on a rampage and flung female worshipper Preyawan Karakulpoonperm, 47, to the ground then trampled her to death.

Elephants are the national animal of Thailand. They have played roles in warfare, royal and religious ceremonies, and local livelihoods, making them a revered part of Thai culture.

As of 2023, there are an estimated 3,000-3,500 wild elephants in Thailand.