Thailand

In Thailand, the elephant holds a significant place. It is a symbol of peace and prosperity, and it is also sacred to Buddhists. It is loved by all and respected by many; it is considered the noblest animal in the country. With elements of history and current facts, the Asian elephant holds a special place in what was once the kingdom of Siam.

The history of elephants in Thailand

In the Land of Smiles, elephants have long been exploited. They were used as a means of transportation and also as labor in forestry or as war machines.

In the 17th century, the Siamese army used no fewer than 20,000 elephants for combat. Their training involved making them fight each other using their tusks, making them hunt horses, or getting them accustomed to the terrifying sound of explosions. A festival in homage to the elephants of that era takes place every year in November in Surin. However, the event, which brings together many elephants from across the country, has become more of a lucrative tourist attraction than a genuine ceremony respecting the pachyderms.

Forestry exploitation was also one of the main activities of domestic elephants. This activity, conducted by mahouts, became illegal in 1989, and its instigators, having no more sources of income, began to transform their activity into a tourist attraction. Thus, numerous elephant trekking sites began to open, and even in cities, some mahouts use these elephants for begging.

However, in recent years, some tourist sites have decided, while considering the current situation's challenges, to modify their offerings. Thus, there are increasingly more ethical sanctuaries dedicated to caring for formerly mistreated elephants. Visitors no longer ride on the elephants' backs but simply come to observe their daily lives, feed them, bathe them, and sometimes even care for them.

A strong symbol of Buddhism

In Buddhist belief, the elephant has a sacred dimension. This dimension stems from the fact that the wife of King Suddhodana, Queen Maya, once dreamed of a white elephant holding a lotus flower in its trunk. She went to a sage who explained the symbolism of this nocturnal vision to her. According to him, it was a prophetic dream announcing the birth of a child who would be different from others, an exceptional child. Later, Queen Maya gave birth to a child whom she named Siddhartha Gautama. He is the Buddha. The elephant, symbolizing patience, wisdom, and strength, is thus often mentioned in the Buddha's discourses.

As Buddhism is now the most practiced religion in Thailand, the elephant has also become, over time, a royal animal.

The origin of National Elephant Day

The white elephant has a very particular symbolism, which has made it the property of the royal family for many decades. It thus became the official representation, even appearing on the Thai flag in 1917. Later, on March 13, 1963, the white elephant was designated as the national animal. It was in 1998 that the government announced that March 13 would become Thai Elephant Day. Since then, celebrations have been organized every year on this day to pay homage to this noble animal.

Activities offered on Elephant Day

Various activities are proposed throughout Thailand to celebrate the pachyderm:

Elephant Day in Chiang Mai:

• Satok: A grand buffet gathering around sixty elephants. This activity is organized every year by Mae Sa Park, which opens its doors for free on this occasion. However, although this festival involves no animal abuse, the park's usual activities are not commendable, and it resembles a forced elephant labor camp.
• The exhibition at Chiang Mai Zoo aimed at informing the public about elephants while raising awareness of their cause.
• A photo exhibition organized by Thai Elephant through the Lens during which the works are auctioned. All funds raised are donated to animal welfare associations.

Elephant Day in Lampang:

• The National Elephant Conservation Center organizes, over two days (usually March 12 and 13), celebrations in the presence of monks. The center's usual activities are then changed into special activities in honor of the elephants. A gigantic parade is organized in the presence of the pachyderms.

Of course, northern Thailand is not the only area celebrating National Elephant Day. Numerous celebrations are held throughout the country, but mainly in places known for hosting sanctuaries such as Kanchanaburi or Surin.