In Surin province, a traditional ceremony was held at the Prakam spirit shrine of the Elephant Study Centre in  Ban Ta Klang, known as the elephant village, in Tha Tum district, followed by other activities for elephants.

A merit-making ceremony was held for deceased elephants and mahouts, with 19 Buddhist monks collecting alms from local residents. Nine elephants, led by the world’s first twin male elephants, Thong Kham and Thong Thaeng, participated in the ceremony.

Late on Tuesday morning, Kittimet Rungthanakiart, chairman of the Surin provincial administration organisation, opened Chang Thai Day, the Thai Elephant Day event at the village. Residents, students and more than 50 elephants took part in several shows.

A banquet of fresh fruit and vegetables spread out along 200 metres was enjoyed by 100 elephants.

In Chon Buri, a merit-making ceremony was held for elephants at Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden in Pattaya.

Nine Buddhist monks performed religious rites and sprayed holy water on 87 jumbos, and a buffet of fruit was spread out for their enjoyment.

In Ayutthaya, a religious ceremony and a banquet were arranged at the Ayutthaya Elephant Kraal. Seventy elephants enjoyed the fruit and vegetables, with many adults and children taking part in organised activities.

Thai Elephant Day is celebrated every year on March 13.

A Buddhist monk feeds an elephant at the kraal in Ayutthaya. (Photo by Sunthorn Pongpao)

A merit-making ceremony is held at Ta Klang elephant village in Surin province on Tuesday to mark Thai Elephant Day, with local residents and elephants giving alms to Buddhist monks. (Photo by Nopparat Kingkaew)