Elephants of Thailand in myth, art, and reality

the long version

This book surveys a wide range of elephant lore in Thailand, past and present. Early Thai writings, both sacred and secular, European traveller's tales of centuries ago, and more recent diplomatic correspondence with the West concerning the role of the elephant in Thai life are touched upon, providing an interesting historical perspective. Also explained is the religious, artistic, and literary background underpinning Thai attitudes to elephants, both real and mythical. The real and everyday elephants of the Thailand of today are also described, whether as the rarely glimpsed wild herds in protected areas and national parks, as 'students' in the unique elephant training school, as adult workers in the forests, or as participants in the great annual Surin Elephant Round-up which provides a spectacular microcosm of the role of the elephant in Thai life.