Thong Daeng, a favourite pet dog of His Majesty the King, has died at the age of 17 due to old age.
In his statement released on Monday, Prof Apinun Suprasert, dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Kasetsart University, said Thong Daeng died peacefully while sleeping at the Klai Kangwon Palace in Hua Hin district, Prachuap Khiri Khan, at 11.10pm Saturday.
In the past few years, the female dog had suffered several illnesses due to advancing age. They included problems with her nerves, bones, joints, muscles, liver and kidneys. Staff from the faculty had treated the pet carefully. Thong Daeng was considered a dog with a long life, at 17 years and one month, the dean stated.
Born from a stray near Rama IX Road, Thong Daeng ("Copper") was brought to live in the Chitrlada Palace after a doctor showed it to His Majesty the King when His Majesty opened the Medical Development Clinic near Rama IX Road. It then became His Majesty the King's favourite dog and usually accompanied His Majesty.
Thong Daeng was given the surname Suvarnachad (which also means "copper") by His Majesty.
His Majesty wrote a book about Thong Daeng and that recently was developed into an animation film. It also became a brand of shirts that His Majesty the King designed to promote the use of local quality products.