CHON BURI, March 13 (TNA) – Special activities were
organised to mark the Thai National Elephant Day on March 13 to honour the
animals’ longstanding important roles for the country.
Nong Nooch Pattaya Garden in the eastern Chon Buri province
was among the venues of the activities. A total of 87 elephants showed up
Wednesday morning for an alms-giving activity for Buddhist monks who on the
same occasion sprayed holy water on the pachyderms for their good life.
The elephants were set to join a procession and have the
world’s biggest fruit buffet at noon.
Kampol Tansajja, director of Nong Nooch Pattaya Garden, said
special activities were organised there to mark the special day annually.
Elephants were national animals and in the past former Thai kings rode them.
They also played important roles for national defense in past battles, he said.
In the northern Phitsanulok province, the management of
Sappraiwan Elephant Resort in Kaeng Sopha sub-district of Wang Thong district
continued to take care of old elephants and welcome tourists to witness their
life in its 1.6-square-kilometer compound.
The management bought old and disabled elephants from
operators and took care of them there.
The animals were retired from lifelong log hauling. They are
40-60 years old and some of them are used to give rides to visitors. There are
lots of grasses for the elephants and the management also feed them with
various kinds of herbs.
There are reservoirs and a stream for the elephants to relax
and each of them receives good care from its own mahout. (TNA)
