AYUTTHAYA, THAILAND – Mahouts in the former royal capital marked Thai Elephant Day with Buddhist rites and a grand fruit banquet for 70 elephants while commemorating animals that had died.
Rites at the Royal Elephant Kraal Village
The ceremony took place at the Royal Elephant Kraal Village in Tambon Suan Phrik in the province of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya. Mahouts prepared the grounds for prayers, offerings and a joint act of remembrance for deceased elephants.
They arranged spaces for religious rituals and memorial activities. The site served as both a place of worship and a gathering point for the elephant handlers’ community.
The Man Behind the Ceremony
The ritual was led by Laitongrian Meephan, owner of the Ayutthaya Elephant Palace and Kraal and chair of the Phra Kochaban Foundation. He guided the mahouts in making a ritual offering at the Pa-Kam elephant shrine, which is considered particularly revered among handlers.
The shrine functioned as the focal point of the spiritual activities. Offerings there were intended to honor the cultural and religious significance of elephants.
Monks, Prayers and Merit for Departed Elephants
Buddhist monks led by Phra Yantrilok, deputy provincial monastic chief and abbot of Boromwong Isarawararam Ratchaworawihan temple, chanted prayers. Mahouts and elephants gave alms with the declared intention of dedicating the religious merit to elephants that had passed away.
Through these offerings, participants sought to connect current caretaking practices with traditional Buddhist concepts of merit. The shared almsgiving highlighted the bond between the animals and those who work with them.
Holy Water for Luck and Protection
Phra Khru Kasem Chanthawimon, known as Ajarn Daeng from Wat Pom Ramanya, also joined the celebration. He sprinkled elephants and their handlers with holy water, a traditional blessing believed to bring good fortune and protection.
The water blessing underlined the spiritual dimension of the event. It was intended to safeguard both the animals and the people responsible for their care.
A Chinese-Style Banquet
After the religious rites, helpers laid out a “Chinese-style” banquet table and loaded it with fruit for the animals. The menu featured corn, watermelons, cucumbers and bananas.
The 70 elephants tucked into the food with visible appetite. The banquet served as both a celebratory feast and a public display of appreciation for the animals.
A Fixture for More Than 20 Years
Laitongrian Meephan said the Phra Kochaban Foundation and the Ayutthaya Elephant Palace and Kraal had organized such fruit banquets and elephant-related activities for more than 20 years. He said they cooperated with state agencies as well as private organizations.
The long-running collaboration illustrated the mix of public and private efforts behind the event. It also showed how cultural traditions had been maintained over decades.
Mahouts Unite Their Interests
The organizer also reported that elephant owners had formed a group called Kachasarn Khu Phaendin. The aim was to work with the government on problems faced by people who keep and care for elephants.
By joining forces, mahouts and owners sought to address practical challenges linked to elephant husbandry. The group’s creation pointed to a more organized approach to representing their interests.
Why 13 March Is a National Date
Thai Elephant Day has been observed every year on 13 March since a national committee designated the white elephant as a national symbol. In Ayutthaya, authorities attended the celebrations each year to underline the importance of elephants as a historic emblem of the nation.
Officials highlighted that elephants had once stood alongside Thai kings in ancient battles. The commemorations in the former capital emphasized how deeply the animals are woven into the country’s history and identity.