National Elephant Day in Thailand

In Thailand, elephants are important and popular, they are the emblem of the country (and the emblem of a beer too, but that’s less relevant). They are so much loved by Thais that they have their own National Day on March 13. An opportunity to pay tribute to them and remember that they are in danger.

Almost all elephants centers and parks in the country offer entertainment and large buffets on that day. We do not advise you to go to any of them to celebrate, the majority of these places are just big tourist attractions more thinking of money than the well-being of their elephants. Animal rights associations also mobilized that day to remind that elephants are in danger even in a country like Thailand where they are loved and respected by the majority of the population.

Video of the buffet at the Elephant Kraal in Ayutthaya (AFP)

In Thailand, the opportunities for tourists to have interactions and do activities with elephants are numerous but those who are in a situation where these majestic animals are respected and treated well are much more less numerous. The director of communication of a elephants preservation center and study center, told me once thatit is impossible to learn a trick to an elephant without mistreating it. Even teaching it to walk tourists on its back, is not done without violence, she said. More tourists who enrich agencies and elephants parks there are, more  other elephants sufferinf the same fate there are. It is up to you to choose between your pleasure and the well-being of these animals …

The other great danger for the elephants around the world including those in Thailand is the illegal ivory trade. on this day of celebration, it seemed to us important to remember that elephants in Thailand could be better treated and that every tourist traveling to Thailand has a small part of responsibility to take this fight.