In Thailand, a white elephant fit for a new king by patpichatan More on the Thai king's coronation:
MAHA SARAKHAM, Thailand - A large portrait of Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn dominates one end of the open-air enclosure where an elephant known as Plai Ekachai starts his day at a conservation center in the country’s northeast.
The elephant is to be presented as a gift to the new king sometime after this weekend’s coronation ceremonies, the first the country will have seen in 69 years. Elephants classified as white in Thailand are not necessarily albino or solid white but are more pale in color than normal and are rare and especially revered.
When his remains were kept at the Grand Palace awaiting a royal cremation, 11 elephants decorated to look like white elephants crouched down before the palace walls in a symbolic gesture to honor the “people’s king”. According to ancient Brahman texts, a white elephant has seven auspicious characteristics: white eyes, a white soft palate, white toenails, white hair, white skin, white tail hair, and white genitals.Plai Ekachai hails from the southern tourist town of Krabi, where he was forced – and refused – to haul heavy logs and let tourists ride him, said Thanabadee, who bought him in 2010 and brought him about 1,200 km to Maha Sarakham.
Plai Ekachai wakes each day on a mound facing the portrait of the king and starts his day by eating Napier grass.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Thailand rehearses elaborate $31 million coronation for kingForty roads were closed in Bangkok as a band and officers on horseback marched p...
Read more »
Rep. Steve King compares backlash over white supremacy comments to Jesus' sufferingAt a town hall on Tuesday, Rep Steve King, R-Iowa, compared the fallout from his white supremacy remarks to the persecution of Jesus Christ.
Read more »
Steve King relates to Jesus Christ's suffering after backlash over 'white supremacy' quoteThe representative said his experiences facing criticism over white nationalism and supremacy comments has given him 'better insight' into Jesus' persecution.
Read more »
Steve King says he has 'insight' into Jesus' persecution after backlash on white nationalism commentsThe Iowa representative says he understands what Jesus Christ “went through for us” because of criticism from Congress.
Read more »
White House to seek billions of dollars in new funds for border crisisThe supplemental funding request could come as soon as this week.
Read more »
Man plotted to bomb white supremacist rally, retaliating for New Zealand mosque attacks, feds sayThe suspect had spoken to a confidential informant about other possible attacks against Jews, police officers and churches, authorities said.
Read more »
Earth Day baby ducks from Baby elephant hangs out in the zooBaby ducks make their way down the hall at Prairie Mountain School on Earth Day, April 22, 2019, in Eugene, Ore., to the delight of kindergarten children gathered nearby.
Read more »
Baby elephant hangs out in the zooCAKE SMASH PARTY: Adorable meerkat quadruplets celebrate their first birthday by devouring a watermelon, zucchini, baby carrot and broccoli cake in a matter of minutes.
Read more »