Elephants – “artists and workers”

11 March 2010

Elephants are held in the utmost respect in Thailand. The cult worship of these powerful animals has its source in a certain Hindu legend about a son of the God Shiva. Elephants can be seen in paintings, low reliefs and sculptures decorating temples, and some complexes of historic buildings can be explored on the backs of these huge mounts. To ensure good luck during a journey one should slip furtively under the tummy of this fortune-bearing animal.

Thailand | Sukhothai – depictions of elephants are often used in Thai architecture (by mschmaltz )

Elephants are universally considered to be wise animals. It is sometimes said that someone has “the memory of an elephant”. For centuries, travellers have handed down legends about elephants’ dances and hidden graveyards, where they go to die. One must admit there’s a kernel of truth in all this. Elephants communicate over long distances with seismic signals – they produce low-frequency sounds by growling or hitting the ground with their feet. In this way, they warn each other about danger, the necessity to move, or just send a greeting! (T. Oszubski, Słonie płaczą nad zmarłym, [Elephants weep over the dead], Express Bydgoski, 26. 05. 2006)..

A national symbol

Thai beliefs include tales declaring that the world rests on elephants’ trunks - and this is one reason why they are regarded with such awe. This animal is considered a national symbol – until 1915 it was even present on the country’s flag.

This Hindu tale explains the special status of these animals:

„Ganesha, a son of the God Shiva, was born when his father was absent. One day his mother asked him to guard the door while she was having a bath. When suddenly Shiva appeared and wanted to go inside, Ganesha refused to let the “stranger” in, so the infuriated God severed Ganesha’s head. When Shiva learned it was his son he vowed to make amends and gave Ganesha the head of the first animal that came his way, which was an elephant. Since then, the Indian patron of the followers of Shiva has been depicted as a man with the head of an elephant.”

Elephant schools

Thailand is home to Young Elephant Training Centres. For several years elephants learn different skills, which often become part of the shows organised for tourists. During such shows these intelligent animals, under human direction, arrange and tidy up wooden logs: two of them prise up a long log with their tusks, and, holding them with their trunks, raise the log 2 metres in the air; the log goes onto a pile of felled trees; the elephants kneel on one or two knees, roll tree stumps on command, arrange them together in a line, and then turn them around as if they were the best machines in a lumber mill. Apart from the “workers’ there are also “artists” among the elephants – some of them paint pictures, some play instruments or dance rhythmically. Elephants are indeed very wise animals and their intelligence is on display, for example when they are being washed: an elephant driver rubs the elephant with a brush and the elephant sprays its back with water on command. A baby elephant sometimes tries to spray water on the audience, which is an additional tourist attraction. When the people applaud, the elephants kneel, hit the ground with their trunks or say “thank you” with a curtsey.

Thailand | Elephants are sometimes a bit tired with their prominent role (by John Lindie )

You can get acquainted with the history and the special cultural role of these animals here:

• The museum in Ta Klang Elephant Village
• The elephant museum at Surin
• The Royal Elephant Museum in Bangkok
• A historic pen for combat elephants in Ayutthaya

Elephants also take part in some festivals and other events

• The Surin Elephant Festival
• The King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament

Places offering rides on an elephant’s back:

• Khao Sok National Park (Suth Thailand, near Hua Hin)
• Siam Safari Nature Tours (Phuket Island)
• Mae Kok Elephant Camp (Chiang Rai Province)
• Thong Pha Phum and Sangkhlaburi (Kanchanaburi Province)

Near Chiang Mai:

• The Chiang Dao Elephant Training Centre (north of Chiang Mai along Highway 107)
• Mae Tang Elephant Camp (about 50 km north of Chiang Mai)
• Maesa Elephant Camp (about 40 minutes north west of Chiang Mai, best reached by car or minibus)

The cost of riding on an elephant’s back is between USD 15-18 for 30 mins and USD 30 for 1 hour per person

Thailand | Thai elephants also attend school (by Alex Faundez)

National Elephant Institute

Hang Chat Lampang, 52190 Thailand
km. 28-29 Lampang – Chiang Mai Highway

What attractions does the Institute offer?

• You will discover the life of mahouts (the people who look after elephants). You can spend some time in their houses and learn the basics of elephant care.
• Elephant rides along scenic routes.
• 10-day elephant-riding course – exhilarating experience revealing elephant riding and care secrets with a mahout.
  Fee: approx. USD 450 per person.
• 3-day elephant-riding course in a forest – includes overnight accommodation in a forest. Lets you get to know even more about the life of elephants and mahouts.
  Fee: approx. USD 150 per person.
• One-day elephant-riding course – ideal if you have little time and want to spend it in a valuable way. Learn how to ride an elephant and take care of its health, great fun guaranteed.
  Fee: approx. USD 50 per person.