Elephant's Unexpected Grocery Run Highlights Habitat Loss in Thailand

A hungry elephant created an unusual scene Monday when it raided a grocery store in northeastern Thailand, near Khao Yai National Park. The elephant, known as Plai Biang Lek, was filmed casually selecting snacks from the shelves. Shop owner Khamploi Kakaew recounted, "He ate about nine bags of sweets, a sandwich, and some bananas!" While elephants are often near the park, increasing tourism and human development are reducing their natural habitat. The incident serves as a reminder of the challenges of balancing human activity with wildlife conservation. The elephant eventually left the store without incident.