Early National Elephant Day celebrations held in Kanchanaburi

KANCHANABURI, March 6 (TNA) -- Thailand's Sai Yok Elephant Park organised a fruit banquet for its in celebrations of the National Elephant Day which falls on every March 13. Commander of the 17th Military Circle Maj Gen Apichart Sukjam presided over the event yesterday at the Sai Yok Elephan Park in Sai Yok district of Karnchanaburi province, after the elephants were led to participate in a religious ceremony in accordance to ancient beliefs of the elephant people. The aim of the banquet was to repay the elephants for their help in defending the country during past wars and for always being a big help to humans. The event was also held ahead of the National Elephant Day, which falls on every March 13, where all 16 elephants were fed extravagantly and visitors were also allowed to feed them close up and take pictures as souvenirs. The owner of the elephant park Chaiyapong Saendee said that the park is firm on its stance in not using elephants in shows and to attract tourists with elephant rides, as it is intended to repay the elephants for their hard works along side humans. He said the park business' has been changed into ecotourism, where visitors are invited and encouraged to stay within the park to live and learn more about the elephants. (TNA)