Thailand has the reputation of "the country of Vientiane". The elephant is the national treasure of Thailand and the patron saint of Thais. Thais regard the simple and docile elephant as a symbol of honor, dignity and strength. In ancient times, elephants, like tanks in modern wars, once galloped on the battlefield with soldiers from Siam (formerly known as Thailand); Later, elephants once became "porters" in Thailand's logging industry; Since the last century, with the disappearance of large areas of virgin forests, elephants have little practical value. Their main job is to perform various performances in major tourist attractions or for tourists to ride. Elephants who live by busking have a hard time because they eat too much. It is not so important for the younger generation that elephants gradually fade out of their lives.

Surin Prefecture in northeastern Thailand is the "hometown of elephants", where elephants were first domesticated. There is an elephant village with 250 elephants in Tatun County, Sulin State. The villagers in this area have tamed elephants for generations, and every family keeps elephants. Recently, the Global Times reporter set off from Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, and drove more than 400 kilometers to this elephant village. Entering the elephant village, the reporter saw three elephants sucking thick plantains with their noses. One leg of each elephant is chained to its trunk, and the chain scar on its foot is clearly visible. Walking inside, there are more and more elephants, some resting under wooden sheds, and some carrying tourists with square steps.

Sallot, another elephant tamer in the village, told reporters: "Most elephant tamers don't have regular jobs and only go back to Surin during the Elephant Festival. Other times, we can only sell souvenirs to tourists in the city. Where there are tourists and where we can make money, we will go. " Elephants eat an amazing amount. An adult elephant eats 300 kilograms of grain and grass every day. Sallot said helplessly: "They eat so much every day, which is simply a food incinerator!" A few years ago, the Thai government launched the "Let Elephants Go Home" program. Elephant trainers who bring elephants back to Surin can receive 8,000 baht a month, but the money is not enough for elephants to eat, so few elephants can go home. There is even a special foundation in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and the funds raised are used to buy food for elephants.

Historically, the forest coverage rate in Thailand has exceeded 90%, and there are hundreds of thousands of elephants in Thailand. With the decrease of forests, the Thai government began to ban logging in the 1980s, and thousands of elephants were laid off and unemployed. Elephants were forced to learn eighteen martial arts such as painting and playing ball, and embarked on the road of "performing arts". At present, the number of elephants has dropped sharply, reaching an endangered state. There are only more than 3,800 registered elephants, and more than 1000 wild elephants are strictly protected. Long Miao, an elephant trainer in Elephant Village, is a witness to the growing number of elephants. His ancestors made a living by catching elephants. Long Miao captured more than 100 wild elephants in the jungle when he was young. After domestication, it was resold to logging companies all over Southeast Asia for wood handling.

The core elements of Thai culture

Elephants are the core elements of Thai culture. They are symbols of strength and elegance. A Thai historian once said: If there were no elephants, the history of Thailand might have to be rewritten. Thais believe that elephants are considerate, hardworking and capable, not only cheap labor, but also smart traveling pets, smart and spiritual. If an elephant tamer is sick, the elephant he trains will not eat or drink.

In the streets and alleys of Thailand, various handicrafts shaped like elephants can be seen everywhere. Many folklore, literary works, paintings and sculptures in Thailand are related to elephants. There is a saying that "the arrow is full, the elephant keeps stepping on it, and the power of unity is better than the elephant". Thornton, founder of Chiang Mai Elephant Nature Park in northern Thailand, said: "The older generation in Thailand still believe that elephants are magical animals. "But for the younger generation, elephants gradually fade out of their lives, which is not so important." Thornton often goes to some schools to tell students about elephants, hoping that the lofty position of elephants in people's minds can be maintained.