Phuket shelter elephant causes ownership dispute

PHUKET: A Krabi man has filed a complaint at the Damrongdhama Center after an elephant he claims was stolen from him 14 years ago turned up with a new owner in Phuket.

Somsak Riangnguen, 35, said he bought the elephant (named ‘Yo’) and registered him in Surin Province in 2001.

“In 2003, I took Yo to work in Krabi, where he was stolen from me. All the time, I have been looking for him. Last week, someone sent me a picture of Yo in Phuket, so I went to Chalong Police Station and showed them the registration letter,” said Mr Somsak.

He accompanied officers to an elephant shelter in Chalong, led by Chalong Police Commander Surasak In-prom.

Related news

However, the owner of the shelter showed police his own registration letter for the animal, leaving Mr Somsak’s case in disarray. The shelter owner insisted that this was another elephant named Nam Petch, not Yo.

Mr Somsak then approached the navy and the Phuket Provincial Livestock Office (PPLO) for help.

“I have asked officers at the PPLO to match the microchip number on the animal with my registration documents. I know it matches mine, not theirs. I just want my elephant back,” said Mr Somsak.

Both sides have been called in for “negotiation” over the disputed pachyderm later today.

— Winai Sarot

Phuket News

Thaiger Talk

Join the conversation and have your say on Thailand news published on The Thaiger.

Thaiger Talk is our new Thaiger Community where you can join the discussion on everything happening in Thailand right now.

Please note that articles are not posted to the forum instantly and can take up to 20 min before being visible. Click for more information and the Thaiger Talk Guidelines.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Legacy Phuket Gazette

Archiving articles from the Phuket Gazette circa 1998 - 2017. View the Phuket Gazette online archive and Digital Gazette PDF Prints.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Check Also
Close