Show table of content Hide table of content
A hungry wild elephant recently turned a routine shopping day into a memorable spectacle in Thailand. On June 2, 2025, shoppers and staff at a small convenience store in Nakhon Ratchasima province witnessed an extraordinary scene when a 27-year-old elephant named Plai Biang Lek casually entered the premises and helped himself to a feast. This unusual incident highlights the ongoing challenges of human-wildlife interactions in regions where natural habitats intersect with human settlements.
Unexpected shopper: wild elephant raids local store
Around 2 PM on a relatively quiet business day, store owner Khamploi Kakaew noticed the massive pachyderm approaching her establishment. Despite her attempts to discourage the animal, calling out and asking it to leave, the determined elephant proceeded directly into the store. “I tried to push him away, telling him not to come closer,” Khamploi explained to CNN, “but he didn’t listen. It seemed like he came with a purpose.”
The elephant’s shopping spree was surprisingly selective. Using his trunk with remarkable dexterity, he carefully examined the store’s offerings before making his selections. Wildlife encounters in retail settings are rare but not unprecedented, as demonstrated last month when a bear caused panic running through a crowded supermarket in another region.
What makes this incident particularly fascinating is the minimal damage caused. Despite his enormous size, Plai Biang Lek maneuvered through the narrow store aisles with surprising grace, knocking over very few items. After satisfying his appetite, the elephant calmly walked out, taking one last bag of treats with him as a parting gift.
Gourmet pachyderm: the elephant’s shopping list
The elephant’s taste preferences proved quite specific during his impromptu shopping trip. According to store owner Khamploi Kakaew, Plai Biang Lek consumed approximately nine bags of sweet rice cakes, which appeared to be his favorite item. His varied menu also included a sandwich, peanuts, and dried bananas.
Wildlife experts note that elephants typically consume between 150-300 pounds of food daily in the wild, making this convenience store raid merely a light snack for the massive creature. The elephant’s preference for sweet and salty items mirrors their natural foraging habits, where they seek energy-dense foods.
Store surveillance footage captured the surreal scene as forest rangers attempted to guide the elephant out. Their efforts proved largely unsuccessful until the animal decided he had finished his meal. The unexpected visitor’s behavior reminded many locals of other surprising animal encounters, such as when a woman discovered a massive python hiding behind her toilet, though this elephant’s visit was considerably less frightening for those involved.
Animals The world’s first genetically modified spider is capable of producing fluorescent red silk.
Khamploi reported receiving compensation of approximately 20 euros for the consumed merchandise, a modest amount considering the unique story she gained in return. The incident has since attracted significant attention on social media after the Associated Press shared video footage on Instagram.
Local celebrity: the story behind Plai Biang Lek
This wasn’t just any wild elephant that wandered into the store. At 27 years old, Plai Biang Lek is well-known to locals in the Nakhon Ratchasima province. He resides in a nearby national park and has been observed passing through the area on multiple occasions. “We usually see him passing by and watch him from inside our homes. But he had never entered the store before and has never harmed anyone,” Khamploi explained.
The elephant’s behavior represents a growing trend of wildlife venturing into human settlements in search of food. As natural habitats shrink and human developments expand, such encounters become more common. While some wildlife interactions can be dangerous, such as when a fisherman caught a nightmarish monster-like fish, Plai Biang Lek’s visit was remarkably peaceful.
Wildlife conservation experts emphasize that such incidents, while amusing, highlight serious concerns about habitat loss and food scarcity for wild animals. Asian elephants face increasing challenges as their natural territories shrink, forcing them to adapt their behaviors and occasionally venture into human spaces in search of sustenance.
Human-wildlife coexistence in modern Thailand
This incident reflects the broader challenges of maintaining balance between wildlife conservation and human development in Thailand and throughout Southeast Asia. The country is home to approximately 3,000-3,500 wild elephants, many living in protected areas that border human settlements.
Encounters between humans and wildlife can sometimes result in tragedy, making Plai Biang Lek’s peaceful shopping trip a fortunate exception. Local authorities continue to develop strategies to minimize conflict while protecting both humans and animals. These efforts include creating wildlife corridors, implementing warning systems, and educating communities about coexistence.
Scientists studying animal behavior find such incidents valuable for understanding how wildlife adapts to changing environments. Much like researchers who were puzzled by a gigantic great white shark captured off the U.S. coast, experts are analyzing this elephant’s behavior to better understand adaptation mechanisms in large mammals.
For store owner Khamploi Kakaew, the incident ended without significant damage or injury, becoming more of an amusing anecdote than a traumatic experience. As human settlements continue to expand into wildlife territories, finding ways to manage these interactions positively remains an ongoing challenge for communities and conservation authorities alike.
Animals Scientists film a rare abyssal creature during an expedition in Antarctica.
