BANGKOK: Thai PM Anutin approves urgent mission for Minister Suchart to bring two Thai elephants, "Plai Srinarong" and "Plai Pratu Pha," back from Sri Lanka for health concerns.
The issue of reclaiming Thai elephants abroad has once again garnered public attention after Thailand successfully brought back “Plai Sak Surin,” a Thai elephant ambassador, from Sri Lanka in 2023 for medical treatment.
Following this, two more Thai elephants, “Plai Srinarong” and “Plai Pratu Pha,” which had been sent to Sri Lanka in 2001 and 1980 respectively, are now facing health issues due to their heavy workloads in religious ceremonies. Public demands for their return have led to the Thai government’s intervention.
Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Suchart Chomklin, confirmed on Thursday (oCT 23) that Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has greenlit the diplomatic efforts to bring back “Plai Srinarong” and “Plai Pratu Pha” to Thailand.
Suchart posted on Facebook that, after discussions with the Prime Minister, the government would coordinate with all relevant agencies to facilitate the elephants’ return, though the process may take time due to diplomatic negotiations.
Suchart’s team, including Chayanan Pakdeejit, Permanent Secretary of the Environment Ministry, and Atthaphon Charoenchansa, Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), will travel to Sri Lanka to assess the elephants’ health and ensure proper care by Sri Lankan officials while working on the diplomatic arrangements. - The Nation/ANN
