When a mud-splattered wild elephant named Plai Biang Lek wandered into a grocery store in Thailand’s Nakhon Ratchasima province, it wasn’t there to buy snacks—it was there to eat them. On June 2, 2025, what began as an ordinary afternoon shopping trip quickly became a scene of unexpected wildlife mayhem.
Entrance from the Street
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The footage begins with a wild elephant, later identified as Plai Biang Lek, calmly approaching the entrance of a small grocery store near Khao Yai National Park. He pauses briefly at the doorway, then proceeds inside, ducking under the low ceiling without hesitation.
Sniffing Around the Aisles
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Once inside, the 30-year-old elephant holds himself upright between the shelves. He extends his trunk forward, casually sniffing and scanning the merchandise, clearly searching for food.
First Munch: Rice Crackers
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He reaches a rack of packaged snacks—nine bags of sweet rice crackers. The elephant pulls them off their hooks with surprising precision and begins eating them right there, trunk to mouth.
Grabbing More Treats
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Next, he moves toward dried bananas and even snags a sandwich from another aisle. He wraps the items in his trunk, effortlessly transferring them to his mouth.
Manager’s Reaction
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Shopkeeper Khamploy Kakaew attempts to usher Lek out by shouting and waving her arms. The elephant pays no attention, staying focused on consuming the goodies while the manager ducks behind the counter.
Shuffling Out
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After finishing some snacks and tucking a bag of goodies in his trunk, the elephant calmly backs toward the exit. He brushes past the ceiling once more, revealing muddy footprints on the floor, then steps back outside and ambles away.
adventuring, photography and videography. I am currently working towards a BSc in Biodiversity and Ecology at Stellenbosch University to go on to specialise in Marine Sciences one day.
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