National Elephant Day marked in Thailand

CHON BURI, March 13 (TNA) -- Special activities were organized to mark the Thai National Elephant Day on March 13 to honor the animals’ longstanding important roles for the country. Nong Nooch Pattaya Garden in Chon Buri province was among the venues of the activities. There 87 elephants showed up this 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 organized 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 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)