Nongnooch Garden Pattaya Carefully Oversees the Birth of Baby Elephant “Plai Sriwichai,” the Newest Member of the Elephant Camp, After the Mother Once Accidentally Crushed a Calf to Death — A Grand Blessing Ceremony Held
This morning (2 September 2025) at 9:00 a.m. at Nongnooch Garden Pattaya, Mr. Kampon Tansacha, President of Nongnooch Garden Pattaya, and Pol. Lt. Col. Prawut Wongsinin, Director-General of the Department of Juvenile Observation and Protection, presided over the ceremony together with the executive team. They invited Phra Khru Kasemkittisophon, Chief Monk of Phu Ta Luang Subdistrict and abbot of Samakkhi Banphot Temple, to perform the traditional blessing ritual for the newborn elephant, a practice held every time a baby elephant is born, to welcome the new member to the Nongnooch Pattaya Elephant Camp with good fortune.
The atmosphere was lively and impressive, featuring a graceful dance procession and a parade of more than 30 elephants joining in the welcome. Floral garlands were placed around the elephants’ necks, and sacred threads were tied for auspiciousness. In addition, the foreheads of the mother and calf were anointed according to ancient belief for peace and prosperity.
The newborn male calf was born on 21 August 2025 to 23-year-old mother elephant Pang Srinuan and 30-year-old father elephant Plai Ningnong. Mr. Kampon Tansacha named him “Plai Sriwichai.” He is the fifth elephant calf born at Nongnooch Garden Pattaya in 2025.
This birth is especially significant because in the past, Pang Srinuan once gave birth but accidentally stepped on and killed her calf. This time, Nongnooch Garden Pattaya’s management instructed the team to take extra precautions, using ropes to support and safeguard during delivery. As a result, both mother and calf are safe and in strong, healthy condition.
Nongnooch Garden Pattaya’s Elephant Camp is the first in Thailand to be certified with Good Practices for Elephant Camps by the Department of Livestock Development and the National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards, confirming its commitment to caring for every elephant with high standards and sustainability.
