Elephants of Thailand in myth, art, and reality
By: Rita Ringis.
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Published: 1996
Place of publication: Kuala Lumpur; New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 189
Subjects: Elephants -- Thailand.; Elephants -- Mythology.; Elephants in art.
Description: 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.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 180-185) and index.
Map of Thailand on endpapers.