Ayutthaya marks Thai Elephant Day with feast for 70 elephants

2026-03-13 - 04:44

AYUTTHAYA — 13 March 2026, Elephant handlers in Thailand’s historic city of Ayutthaya held religious rites and prepared a large fruit banquet for 70 elephants on Friday to mark Thai Elephant Day and honour elephants that have died. The ceremony took place at the Royal Elephant Kraal Village in Suan Phrik subdistrict of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province. Laitongrian Meephan, owner of Ayutthaya Elephant Palace and Kraal and chairman of the Phra Kochaban Foundation, led mahouts in a ritual offering at the Pa Kam elephant shrine, which is revered by elephant handlers. Buddhist monks, led by Phra Yantrilok, deputy chief monk of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province and abbot of Boromwong Isarawararam Ratchaworawihan temple, chanted prayers while mahouts and elephants offered alms to dedicate merit to elephants that had died. A well-known monk in the province, Phra Khru Kasem Chanthawimon, also known as Ajarn Daeng of Wat Pom Ramanya, sprinkled holy water over the elephants and their handlers for good fortune. Handlers then arranged a Chinese-style banquet table filled with fruit for the elephants. The feast included corn, watermelon, cucumbers and bananas. Seventy elephants took part in the event and were seen eagerly eating the food prepared for them. Laitongrian said the Phra Kochaban Foundation and the Ayutthaya Elephant Palace and Kraal have organised fruit banquets and activities for elephants for more than 20 years in cooperation with government agencies and private organisations. He added that elephant owners have also formed a group called “Kachasarn Khu Phaendin” to work with the government to address issues faced by people who raise elephants. Thai Elephant Day is marked annually on 13 March, after a national committee declared the white elephant a national symbol of Thailand. Authorities in Ayutthaya organise annual celebrations on the day to encourage Thais to value and protect elephants, which have long been regarded as a symbol of the nation and historically fought alongside Thai kings in ancient battles.