The killing of a British tourist is the latest in a string of controversial incidents surrounding elephants, which are revered in Thailand as a national symbol but often live a life of neglect and misery.

Andrea Taylor, 23, was gored to death by an outraged bull elephant at a wildlife park east of Bangkok. Her father and sister also suffered serious injuries.

The tragedy raises serious questions about the security of the millions of tourists who flock to Thailand every year, many attracted by coming face to face with elephants and other exotic beasts.

The rampage came only weeks after another bull elephant slipped his handler and went beserk on the streets of Bangkok.

Elephants evicted

No-one was injured, but nervous city authorities, mindful of the damage a deranged elephant can do, decided to evict all elephants from the city, where they are a popular tourist attraction.

The sight of tourists feeding elephants bananas was a familiar site every evening in the capital.

Many even walked under the bellies of the animals, following a tradition which is supposed to bring good luck.

Animal rights campaigners say that once an elephant loses control it is impossible to stop, as handlers who tried and failed to save the British tourist as she was gored by the outraged bull found out.

And they say the recent spate of incidents reflects a trend which has seen the natural habitats of elephants eroded, forcing their handlers to bring them into contact with tourists to earn a living.