A STUDY OF THE PROBLEMS AND IMPACTS OF WILD ELEPHANT ENCROACHMENT ON AGRICULTURAL AREAS IN WANG DONG SUBDISTRICT, MUEANG KANCHANABURI DISTRICT, KANCHANABURI PROVINCE

Abstract

This study aimed to: 1) examine the problems of wild elephant encroachment into agricultural areas and 2) examine the impacts experienced by local residents as a result of such encroachment. A quantitative research design was employed using a questionnaire as the data collection instrument. The sample consisted of 400 residents of Wang Dong Subdistrict, Mueang Kanchanaburi District, Kanchanaburi Province, selected from five villages. The sample size was determined using Taro Yamane’s formula at a 95% confidence level with a margin of error of 0.05 (Yamane, 1967), and purposive sampling was applied. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation.

The results showed that: 1) the overall level of problems of wild elephant encroachment into agricultural areas was moderate (𝑥̅ = 2.80). The highest mean was wild elephant encroachment into agricultural areas (𝑥̅ = 2.93), followed by repeated encroachment in the same areas (𝑥̅ = 2.92), while delayed harvesting due to encroachment had the lowest mean (𝑥̅ = 2.59). 2) The overall level of impacts experienced by local residents as a result of such encroachment was also moderate (𝑥̅ = 2.64). The highest mean was agricultural product damage (𝑥̅ = 2.74), followed by damage to agricultural land (𝑥̅ = 2.72), whereas sleep disturbance had the lowest mean (𝑥̅ = 2.56).

The findings indicate that residents clearly perceive both the problems and impacts of elephant encroachment. Integrated policies and coordinated actions between central and local agencies, supported by risk-area data, tracking technology, and sustained budget allocation, are essential to promote sustainable human–elephant coexistence.