Elephant
- Thailand News
Couples tie the knot atop elephants on Valentine’s Day
In a display of romance and tradition, couples in Thailand celebrated their love atop majestic elephants on Valentine’s Day. Clad in traditional attire, nine pairs exchanged vows in a mass wedding that captivated onlookers at the Nong Nooch Tropical Garden in Chon Buri. A bride, Narumon Komgpanoy, shared that the ceremony is sacred, which makes everyone want to have a…
- Thailand News
Northern Thailand welcomes famed elephant ‘Indy Jumbo’ (video)
An elephant known as Indy Jumbo has found a new lease on life after a viral video catapulted her to fame. The elephant, affectionately dubbed Indy Jumbo by Thai netizens, shot to stardom after a video of her leisurely beach escapade took social media by storm. The charming clip showcased her unwavering love for nature as she gazed at the…
- Thailand News
Trunk turmoil: Mother elephant’s rampage leaves owner dead in Surin
A mother elephant from Surin province, led by its owners to beg along a road, became agitated, charging ahead and trampling her owner, resulting in the mahout’s death in a pool of blood. Upon receiving the report, local police officers from Kao Liew Police Station were promptly dispatched to investigate the scene, along with emergency medical personnel and rescue teams.…
- Thailand News
Thai customs halt import of Chinese elephant-patterned trousers
A directive to halt the importation of Chinese elephant-patterned trousers has been issued by the Thai Customs Department, following the registration of the pattern’s copyright, according to statements from Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai on Monday. The Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) is presently conducting an inquiry into the ongoing imports from China, as shared by Phumtham. The issue surrounding this…
- Thailand News
Wild elephant herd of 100 ‘tramples’ sugarcane dreams in Prachin Buri, sanctuary scrambles to restore order
Over 100 wild elephants caused chaos and distress to villagers in Khao Maikaew, Kabin Buri in Prachin Buri province after rampaging through a sugarcane plantation, forcing officials from the Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary to push the elephants back. However, the limited number of staff, combined with the difficulty and danger of the task, has made the task challenging.…
- World News
Sanctuary saga ends in sorrow: Beloved elephant Mali passing leaves fans trumpeting for change
Mali, a beloved elephant at a Philippine zoo has died after plans fell through to relocate the animal to a sanctuary following a worldwide campaign supported by indie rock star Morrissey, former lead singer of The Smiths. Mali, the star attraction at Manila Zoo for over four decades, was found dead on November 28. Raised in solitary confinement since her…
- Thailand News
Urgent efforts underway to return elephant herd causing havoc in central Thailand
A herd of over 100 elephants, currently causing havoc in the Prachinburi region of Thailand, are being urgently ushered back to their natural habitat. These elephants have been devastating crops, causing damage to more than 60 acres of farmland and resulting in losses exceeding 1 million baht. To mitigate this, the state is accelerating efforts to return these elephants to…
- Things To Do
10 amazing animal sanctuaries in Thailand
Ethical tourism is on the rise across the world, and Thailand is making sure it is a pioneer of such experiences. From elephant havens to gibbon rehabilitation centres, the Kingdom has made amazing efforts to help such animals who are marginalised. Moreover, upon visiting one of these sanctuaries, visitors can feel a sense of hope when seeing how these animals…
- Thailand News
Fatal elephant attack in Thailand’s Buriram province claims life
A fatal elephant attack in Buriram province, Thailand, has claimed the life of 62 year old man named Chatchai (surname withheld) who was trampled and his body torn into two pieces by a wild elephant. The incident occurred today in a forest near Nong Bon Village, about 3 kilometres from his residence. The deceased’s wives, 60 year old Saibua and…
- Thailand News
Wild ‘elephant migration’ causes a trunk-load of trouble in Khon Kaen
Khon Kaen, a northeastern province in Thailand, is currently experiencing an invasion of wild elephants from the neighbouring province of Loei. The elephants, in search of food, have descended from the mountains of Phu Kradueng district, causing widespread destruction in two subdistricts – Boribun and Dong Lan in Si Chomphu district – of the province. Images of five wild elephants…
- Pattaya News
Pattaya elephant Nam Chok retires to Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand sanctuary
In a momentous event, Nam Chok, an elderly elephant who has given rides to tourists in Pattaya for decades, has been granted retirement. In her sixties, she was released by her owner into the care of the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT), a sanctuary that offers a refuge for elephants. Nam Chok, who is partially sighted, is suspected to have…
- Thailand News
Two wild elephants electrocuted by durian orchard owner’s fence in Thailand
Two wild elephants, roughly aged between 20 and 25 and 30 and 35 years, met a tragic end due to electrocution in Surat Thani province. The elephants fell victim to an electric fence positioned by a local durian orchard farmer in Tai Rom Yen National Park located within Kanchanadit, a district in southern Thailand. The incident occurred on October 12,…
- Northern Thailand News
Ele-fantastic fortune: Thai cactus with trunk-like growth attracts good luck-seeking locals
Residents of Phayao province are flocking to a golden chicken ball cactus, believed to be a good luck charm due to its unusual growth resembling a baby elephant’s trunk. The cactus belongs to 46 year old Phatharaporn, who has experienced an influx of customers and a significant increase in income since the peculiar growth appeared. The golden chicken ball cactus,…
- Thailand News
Former Thai deputy minister says ‘pandamonium’ not worth it, urges ‘elefant-astic’ focus on local treasures
The former Thai Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Education voiced her opposition to the idea of importing new pandas from China, citing high rental costs and a declining interest in pandas. Instead, she suggests, the focus should be on the increasingly popular Thai elephants. Kanchana Silpa-archa, advisor and head of the Thai Nation Development Party, yesterday posted a message…
- Thailand News
Tragic mushroom foray: Fatal elephant attack in Thai forest reserve
A fatal elephant attack took place in a national forest reserve located in the Khon Buri district of the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima. Unfortunately, a resident was fatally attacked while gathering mushrooms in the forest. The fatal elephant attack was reported by the Khon Buri police chief investigator, Pasit Jitprasert, and it occurred in the forest east of Ban…
- Thailand News
Shaken, not stirred: Thai elephant Play Pepsi survives brutal training with no serious injuries
A Thai elephant named Play Pepsi, which was recently subjected to brutal training methods is not seriously injured said examining veterinarians. The owner, who paid 1.5 million baht for the elephant, is willing to sell it to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation for a fair price. The case came to light when the Watchdog Thailand Foundation…
- Thailand News
Spanish tusker-tamer’s uproarious elephant escapade sweeps online spotlight in Thailand (video)
A Spanish woman, well-versed in transforming tusker-sized tales into online sensations, couldn’t resist sharing her uproarious rendezvous with an elephant during a recent Thailand escapade. The self-deprecating woman, Julia Candela, with a penchant for furry and tusked friends alike, took to TikTok to unveil her rib-tickling tête-à -tête with an elephant in Thailand that left her momentarily nose-to-nose with the ground.…
- Travel
A visitor’s guide to ethical elephant sanctuaries in Thailand
If you are a tourist, a trip to Thailand is incomplete without seeing the country’s extraordinary elephants. These majestic animals have been an integral part of Thailand’s culture and history, used for a variety of purposes such as for transportation, war, logging (in the timber industry), and now tourism. Currently, there are around 3,500 – 4,000 captive elephants in Thailand.…
- Thailand News
Thailand prepares warm welcome for Sak Surin
The National Resource and Environment Ministry in Thailand announced plans to organise a Bai Sri Su Khwan welcoming ceremony for Sak Surin, a 30 year old elephant, following the conclusion of his 30-day quarantine duration. This information was put forth by Natural Resources and Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-archa. Additionally, it was hinted that the festivities will take place at the Thai…
- Thailand News
Thai elephant Sak Surin’s recovery promising despite tumour diagnosis
The health of a 30 year old male Thai elephant appears promising despite a recent diagnosis of five separate tumours. The Thai Elephant Conservation Centre based in Lampang noted Sak Surin’s surprisingly resilient recovery. After spending 22 years on non-native grounds in Sri Lanka, Sak Surin was returned home and admitted to the Centre’s Elephant Hospital for care on July 2.…
- Thailand News
Northeast Thailand villages ravaged by wild elephants: Urgent action plea
Agricultural communities in Loei, a province in northeast Thailand, are grappling with the daunting invasion of wild elephants from the Phu Luang Wildlife Reserve. The elephants have devoured crops almost entirely in some fields, leading to an earnest plea to the relevant government agencies for an urgent resolution. The impacted residents mainly inhabit 11 villages in Phu Kradueng and Huai…
- Thailand News
Prachuap Khiri Khan volunteers record incredible elephant encounter (video)
Volunteers in Thailand’s Prachuap Khiri Khan province recorded an incredible encounter with an elephant. The volunteers from Jungle Aid, a charitable organisation, were treated to a breathtaking experience during their journey to deliver donations and supplies, as well as promote dental care, to local villagers. While travelling along the picturesque Pala-U Road, the volunteers had an unforgettable encounter with a…
- Thailand News
Elephant repatriation: Thai king funds medical treatment for Sak Surin
Thailand’s Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Varawut Silpa-archa, yesterday announced the King’s financial support for the medical treatment of Sak Surin, a 30 year old elephant recently repatriated. The jumbo is presently receiving care at the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre’s Elephant Hospital in Lampang province. The elephant repatriation took place on Sunday in Sri Lanka where it was airlifted…
- Thailand News
Unchained Elephants launches their first rescue mission for Kanun: Bringing hope to an abandoned elephant in Chiang Mai
On 23rd June 2023, Unchained Elephants has embarked on their first mission to rescue Kanun, a 55-year-old male elephant in Mae Tang, Chiang Mai. Kanun’s current situation is dire, as he endures life chained up, malnourished, and with only one functioning eye. The urgent need for intervention has sparked a determined effort to save Kanun and provide him with a…
- Thailand News
Thai elephant to be repatriated from Sri Lanka with 19 million baht budget
Animal lovers will be happy to know that Thailand’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has allocated a budget of 19 million baht for the return of Sak Surin, an ailing Thai elephant, from Sri Lanka next month, as announced by Minister Varawut Silpa-archa. Sak Surin was one of three elephants sent to Sri Lanka as goodwill ambassadors from Thailand…
- Thailand News
Abused Thai elephant in Sri Lanka set to be rescued
The Department of National Parks of Thailand is preparing to bring home an elephant named Plai Sak Surin, one of the three Thai elephants living in Sri Lanka, using an Ilyushin IL-76 cargo plane, in early July. Thailand gave Plai Sak Surin, also known as Muthu Raja in Sri Lanka, to the Sri Lankan government also known as Muthu Raja…
- World News
Asian elephants’ habitat shrinkage over three centuries
Asian elephant habitats have experienced a significant decline of almost two-thirds since the 18th century, according to a recent study. The loss corresponds to approximately 3.3 million square kilometres, an area equivalent to the size of India. The study revealed that China had the most significant reduction in suitable elephant habitats in the region – losing 94% of its original…
- Thai Life
Elephant moves fallen tree blocking road in Thailand (video)
An elephant moved a fallen tree blocking the Lampang – Phrae Road in northern Thailand during a storm on Monday, allowing traffic to resume as normal. The moment was captured on Facebook Live. The owner of the elephant, Weerawat Triyot, said that he was on his way back to Chaiyaphum province after taking his 16 year old elephant Dan Siam…
- Northern Thailand News
Thai plus-size pageant ladies have eating contest with an elephant
A group of Thai plus-size beauty pageant contestants partook in an eating contest with an elephant yesterday in the northeast Nakhon Ratchasima province. The Miss Jumbo Queen beauty pageant is not just about celebrating plus-size beauty, it also aims to boost Nakhon Ratchasima’s tourism and help society. The contestants are taking part in several charitable causes, one of which is…
- Thailand News
50 elephants ‘addicted to sugarcane’ destroy 2000 rai of crops in Thailand
A herd of around 50 wild elephants has migrated into farmland in Loei province in northeast Thailand, destroying 2000 rai of crops so far. There is no sign of them retreating into the forest. Recently, around 50 elephants migrated into agricultural land in the Phra Kradueng district from the Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary. No wonder the elephants moved away from…
