SURIN, Nov 15 (TNA) – Over 160 elephants on Friday
paraded through the streets of the northeastern province of Surin, dubbed
Thailand’s elephant town, and enjoyed a feast of fruits ahead of the annual
Surin Elephant Round-Up this weekend.
Tens of thousands of people are expected to visit the 2019
edition of the festival which is believed to be the world’s largest.
Leading the pack in the parade was a pair of elephant twins
Tong Kham and Tong Tang. Cultural
displays of traditional dance entertained the onlookers along the route to
Phraya Surin Phakdi Monument. The jumbos
then enjoyed the special treat, feeding on 50 tons of fruits on 400-meter-long
table.
Surin Elephant Roundup has been held to celebrate
relationship between the pachyderms and humans in the northeastern province
since 1962. The northeastern province
has been famous for elephant handling since the Ayutthaya period. It is home to the Kuy ethnic people, who are
known as skilled elephant catchers and trainers.
Over 160 elephants will put on performances in the Elephant
Round-Up shows this weekend along with over 1,000 performers at Surin Elephant
Show Stadium.
The grand show this year is divided into four acts
illustrating the lives of elephant mahouts and the significant roles of
elephant in the history of Thailand.
Starting from 8.30 am onward, visitors can experience
spectacular shows including light and sound event. (TNA)
