"Lin Ping" celebrates 3rd birthday in Thailand

CHIANG MAI, THAILAND, August 27 (TNA) - Chiang Mai Zoo in northern Thailand organized activities to celebrate the 3rd birthday for "Lin Ping", a growing female panda, with the honourable presence of Chinese Consul General to Chiang Mai Zhang Wei Xai. Zhang and Director of the Chiang Mai Zoo Thanapat Pongpamorn led international visitors to celebrate the 3rd birthday for Lin Ping, now weighing 108 kilogrammes with steady growth in accordance with her age. The Chinese Consul General gave "Lin Ping" a special frozen fruits birthday cake and praised Thailand for taking good care of the panda family bonded from Beijing, which also include a panda couple Xuang Xuang and Lin Hui, Lin Ping's panda parents. The senior diplomat acknowledged that the panda family represents China's animal friendship ambassadors to Thailand, especially Lin Ping, as she has become the most favourite for international visitors to the Chiang Mai Zoo, promising that he would convey the affections between the Thai people and the panda family members to the Chinese government in order to extend their stay in Thailand. The panda family's stay in Thailand has earlier been set to end in 2013, but Thailand is seeking an extension for their stay, another 10 years for Lin Hui and Xuang Xuang and another three years for Lin Ping, with a Thai delegation scheduled to visit China next month for talks on the issue. (TNA)