Reforms have included more exercise, sterner discipline, revision of medical procedures and dietary improvements. Elephants, especially if excessively cossetted, are remarkably delicate in health. Indeed, vulnerability to sunstroke ensures working elephants upcountry a holiday at the hottest time of the year. In former days when a white elephant fell ill, treatments had first to be tested on other animals. This delay often exacerbated the ailment and protracted the creature's distress.
Intervention is now possible as soon as sickness manifests itself.
The stables, two of which were recently constructed at a cost of 3.9-million baht, are nevertheless kept pretty isolated as a health precaution. Foreign dignitaries are occasionally honored with a visit to the stables, which lie just beyond the broad expanse of lawn in front of the home of Princess Chulabhorn, youngest of the four children in the royal family. Among the elephants' most frequent visitors are the royal grandchildren and their aunt, H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, who has even penned a number of special white elephant eulogies and instructions to be sung during the ceremony of Naming the Auspiciously Significant Elephant. Ceremonial eulogies for soothing white elephants are thought to date back to King Narai's reign. Rewards, however, are favored as the best incentive to good conduct.