Thai elephants just have to grin and bear it

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NATIONAL PANDA CRAZE

Thai elephants just have to grin and bear it

Published: 26/06/2009 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News

AYUTTHAYA : Just how much can an elephant bear?

A staff member at the Ayutthaya Elephant Kraal paints an elephant black and white to make gentle fun of the national craze for pandas, which the kraal says has left elephants’ needs overlooked. SUNTHORN PONGPAO

The Ayutthaya Elephant Kraal has painted Plai Panlan, a 5-year-old male elephant, in the panda colours of black and white to remind the public that elephants have needs, too.

The watercolour is harmless, and the elephant did not seem to mind. Kraal staff are gently mocking the national craze over the female panda cub born to Lin Hui and Xuang Xuang at Chiang Mai zoo.

Kraal manager Itthipan Kaolamai said staff were striking a blow for Thai elephant causes. Many of the beasts were still in need of state help, but in all the fuss over pandas were getting overlooked.

The government was showering money on the Chinese pandas, while ignoring its own national symbol, the elephant.

A case in point? The 20 million baht snow house being built for the panda family at the zoo.

If elephants could paint themselves black and white like pandas, then maybe they would get some of that attention.

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Writer: SUNTHORN PONGPAO

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Peter

Discussion 10 : 13/08/2009 at 07:35 PM10
I don't like to say it but the truth is that the panda is for the Thai Chinese. Actually if you speak to most people of Chinese origin in Bangkok they will look down on the elephant and associate it with the poor of the north.

Last Christmas my colleague asked me what design to put on the Christmas card and I said how about an elephant and she said "no, no, not an elephant, something sophisticated, intelligent please".

She was a big PAD supporter and from a Chinese Thai family who considered themselves middle-class. Now she's planning a trip to bring her kids to see the Panda in Chiang mai.
Chrisy

Discussion 9 : 13/08/2009 at 07:26 PM9
What's a silly!!! Do you think these pandas will be our property? You invested 20 million baht for panda's house but finally you have to return them to China. Why don't you do something better? The poor thai government! Our own national animal still need help and also many thai people too!!!
kev

Discussion 8 : 26/06/2009 at 01:02 PM8
seriously painting an elephant too like an panda?

don't you think its a bit overboard?

only thing i feel sorry for is that elephant being forced to look a panda, how sad!!!
Wijakpong YungYuen

Discussion 7 : 26/06/2009 at 11:24 AM7
Intelligent Chinese won. Panda is now the world's treasure, undeniable. It's become utmost pleasured gift, a goodwill ambassador as they're so called. Just wondering that why were not so for our Thai elephants?

It's time to us Thai to strengthen our own culture, not only supporting our symbolic Thai elephants but the whole cultural matters, I mean. The pandas fever is just a sorrow example how's Thai overlooking own culture. Sorry to say this but it's a real tragedy.
Ivan Gort

Discussion 6 : 26/06/2009 at 10:09 AM6
Right on! its time the Thai Government step up and take care of its own National Symbol...the Elephant! The Chinese have taken care of their precious Panda so why not Thailand? Give not 20 million baht, but 40 million baht right away to the Elephant Rescue Groups we have here in Thailand. Show you care!
Thaiguy

Discussion 5 : 26/06/2009 at 09:56 AM5
I can't agree more with this article. Thais neglect their national symbol and go crazy on a panda... The media is to blame for this, as they are doing constant coverage.
Bangkokpost should do more frequent coverage of Elephants so that other people can have more awareness and some consciousness.

I'm sick and bored of this panda buisness. Every TV channel I watch - theres the panda. Its like having the discovery channel everyday. Congrats to Thai Post Office - they just made millions with the panda postcards and naming mail-ins.
yutthana

Discussion 4 : 26/06/2009 at 09:27 AM4
I feel sympathize with the elephant. Why thai people proud the panda more than thai elephant?
Scott Rosenberg

Discussion 3 : 26/06/2009 at 07:46 AM3
The folks at the Ayutthaya Elephant Kraal do a fantastic job working with older elephants. They have scarce resources. Certainly would be nice for the government to pay attention and provide additional budget to one of Thailand's national treasures BUT my biggest beef is the government (Ministry of Commerce, Dept of Export Promotion)refuses to recognize paintings done by Thai Elephant Artists, at the Kraal and other elephant camps in Chiang Mai, as a product from Thailand. (They say they promote products made by people not animals)

Why is this important? Because these amazing works of art are not only a cultural treasure but an amazing product which if promoted by the country would not only add Baht to the coffers of the Kingdom but add to the positive branding of Thailand.

Come on government folks, wake up and do something right for a change.
Khonrak

Discussion 2 : 26/06/2009 at 07:00 AM2
I feel sad when I see any Animal Abused, The Elephants are of National Pride or so we are told.
We have to understand all animals are equal and they were here on Earth long before us Humans turned up.
Pimienta

Discussion 1 : 26/06/2009 at 05:25 AM1
I totally agree with this report. The government must also pay attention to the welfare of other animals as well. There are many local zoos or sanctuaries which still need financial support.

Thai elephants just have to grin and bear it