Elephant Day in Thailand, 2013: at the Mae Sa Elephant Camp, Chiang Mai, and Elephant Painting

     I was invited by a friend to drive from Chiang Mai for 40 kilometers, to see the Elephant camp at Mae Sa. I did not realize that it was Thailand's National Elephant day. It was a truly nationwide phenomenon, and I was at the heart of the Celebrations to prise the beloved Thai elephant. The Thai news teams were there, as was the Governor of Chiang Mai and many "VIPs." 

    Following a procession of over 75 elephants from giant tusked beasts, to small toddlers, they walked down the hill together and ate side by side. Over 75 elephants ate together in a Buffet for the revered animals on this auspicious day. Please look at my pictures, and watch the videos, because there is no other way to visualize the unique day of elephant pampering and respect.


This Elephant had the largest and most heavy looking Tusks. He was beautiful.



   All of the elephants marched in together, stood side by side, and then ate until all of the food you see was gone. What a spectacular event. The elephants were sure treated to a special day, as was the crowd. You have to open the video below. I will upload the video once my Internet is faster.

      In addition to the most enormous buffet there has ever been on the face of this planet, the elephant camp offered guests to watch highly choreographed traditional Thai dancing. There were also a few short plays, and some elegantly dressed male and female dancers. All visitors were allowed to enter and participate for free. I was happy to see so many kids having a special day, and get away from their regular less exciting routine.

Here is very traditional dance pose, as the appreciation of the elephants is made.

After the dance, it was Elephant Painting time.

I did not know that they have been teaching elephants to

paint for many years now.

Their pictures usually depict the jungle, trees, flowers, bananas, or mountain ridgelines.

I bought one of the paintings at the Elephant Painting Gallery.

There were over 150 paintings to chose from. I picked my favorite.

This is the painting the Elephant made in the photo above. Take a closer look.

    
     After watching the three elephants paint, I was getting hungry, so I went to take a look at the food and snacks. I had two orange Thai Iced Teas with milk, and some batter-fried chicken. Below is a picture of deep fried bread, with morning glory and basil deep fried on top. It is served with two sauces, a sweet plum sauce, and a spicy chili sauce.

Look at the elephants having their buffet in the background.

 This Girl is making some local noodles. You are allowed to add the extras, which are assembled in various bowls on the right side of the picture. The noodles are served with some chicken and vegetables in gravy
for $1.

Grilled marinated pork chops and loin.



Hard boiled eggs on sticks.

Here is a Muslim Thai lady serving small batter fried ocean fish. I believe they are anchovies.

Below are some original Elephant paintings for you to look at.

Please look at the painting the elephant is working on. I also photographed it after he finished (below).

Elephants have very sharp eyes. They notice small details, and must be very keen in the wild.

The recognize shapes, and especially the shape and look of another elephant.

Here is one of the elephants with the largest trunks at the entire camp.
Merit was made by wrapping strings around his long tusks.

Here is a second large elephant with enormous tusks.

It was an amazing day at the elephant camp in Mae Sa Thailand. Thank you for looking at this post, please let me know if you enjoined it.  And please don't forget to take a look at our original Thai cook books,  so you can taste authentic Thai food in your own home.