![Courtesy of Chaiwat Subprasom/Reuters](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/hp331-2015-07/files/2015/11/pc-thailand-national-elephant-day-02_c8f437ad6b204f1ab74cc42e63c2ae5d.nbcnews-fp-1200-800-1cb136k-300x200.jpg)
Courtesy of Chaiwat Subprasom/Reuters
On 26 May 1998, the Thailand Government declared 13th of March as Thailand National Elephant Day. This was because the Government recognises that these elephants have been slogging their guts out for the humans for many years. As a result, their numbers are shrinking and something needs to be done.
![Courtesy of Rungroj Yongrit/EPA](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/hp331-2015-07/files/2015/11/pc-140313-thailand-national-elephant-day-01_d5d3ac9b287bf0af2eed4bc190202359.nbcnews-ux-600-480-2jl8od3-300x209.jpg)
Courtesy of Rungroj Yongrit/EPA
Hence, on this very day, these big friends of ours are pampered and treated to sumptuous meals as a form of honouring them in hope of reminding the public about the problems faced by these elephants in the Asian nation (Hall, 2011).
![Courtesy of Chaiwat Subprasom/Reuters](https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/hp331-2015-07/files/2015/11/pc-140313-thailand-national-elephant-day-01_2_2cfb9049ee3bfac2c8ad6d4d0d8d8891.nbcnews-ux-600-480-y5b3d5-300x205.jpg)
Courtesy of Chaiwat Subprasom/Reuters
These elephants are honoured with a buffet of fruits and vegetables and Buddhist ceremonies as a form or paying respect to them (Thailand Celebrates National Elephant Day, 2014)