If you’ve been to Thailand, you’ve seen elephants – in signage, on currency, in parades, maybe even around town as “street” elephants are still relatively common. Elephants have held a revered place in Thai society for centuries with symbolic importance to the monarchs, religion and national pride.

White elephants are considered particularly special, respected as a symbol of royalty. To acquire one during a reign is believed to bring prosperity and happiness throughout the kingdom. Some of these elephants have even been awarded a title and rank. For example, the first white elephant appointed during King Bhumibol’s reign was called: “Phra Sawet Adulydej Phanon” (Phra is a title). This noble animal was featured on the country's national flag until the reign of King Rama VI when the present striped flag was adopted. Even today, if a “white” elephant is found, it is presented to the king and kept in a special enclosure at the palace.

On the other hand, these white elephants are also the source of the less positive western phrase. The story goes that, as the care and keeping of such a “holy” beast is quite expensive, the king would sometimes “give” a white elephant to a subordinate with whom he was displeased. This gift would often financially ruin the recipient. While this is likely an anecdotal story, the phrase lives on today indicating a valuable but useless possession.

Historically, elephants first became intertwined with Thai culture during times of war. Supposedly, 700 elephants were used in a Burmese invasion of Ayutthaya in the 16th century. Since then, they have adapted to more peaceful times as working animals. Elephants are used today to extract heavy teak logs from forests in the Surin, Chiangmai and Lumpang provinces and load the logs for transport. Elephants have become important to the tourist trade, with opportunities to spend significant time with them in emerging eco-tourism pursuits in addition to the more commercial elephant “trek’s and performances.