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The Asian or Asiatic Elephant (<i>Elephas maximus</i>) is the only living species of the genus Elephas and is distributed throughout the Subcontinent and Southeast Asia from India in the west to Borneo in the east. Asian elephants are the largest living land animal in Asia. Myanmar is home to the second largest population in the world, after India. There are around 5,000 domesticated elephants living in Myanmar.
The Asian or Asiatic Elephant (<i>Elephas maximus</i>) is the only living species of the genus Elephas and is distributed throughout the Subcontinent and Southeast Asia from India in the west to Borneo in the east. Asian elephants are the largest living land animal in Asia. Myanmar is home to the second largest population in the world, after India. There are around 5,000 domesticated elephants living in Myanmar.
Wat Xieng Thong (Golden City Temple) with its low sweeping roofs epitomising the classic Luang Prabang style, was built in 1560 by King Setthathirat (1548–71) and was patronised by the monarchy right up until 1975.<br/><br/> The temple was spared by the Black Flag gangs that sacked Luang Prabang in 1887.<br/><br/> Luang Prabang was formerly the capital of a kingdom of the same name. Until the communist takeover in 1975, it was the royal capital and seat of government of the Kingdom of Laos. The city is nowadays a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A temple has stood on top of Chandranath Hill for over 1500 years, but the present temple dates from the 17th century. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu deities Chandreshwar, an incarnation of Lord Shiva, and Bhutnath, the lord of ghosts.
A mahout is an elephant rider, trainer, or keeper. Usually, a mahout starts as a boy in the family profession when he is assigned an elephant early in its life. Mahout and elephant remain bonded to each other throughout their lives.
The Tashrih al-aqvam ('An Account of Origins and Occupations of Some of the Sects, Castes, and Tribes of India') was completed in 1825. The text, a summary of the Vedas and Shastras, translated into Persian by Colonel James Skinner (1778–1841), is a survey of both Hindu and Muslim occupational groups and religious mendicants in the Delhi region and begins with an account of the house of Timur down to Akbar II (r. 1806–37).<br/><br/> Skinner commissioned Delhi artists to illustrate the album, the chief of them being Ghulam Ali Khan. The artist accompanied Skinner on his travels, and the watercolor portraits are probably all studies from life.
Wat Xieng Thong (Golden City Temple) with its low sweeping roofs epitomising the classic Luang Prabang style, was built in 1560 by King Setthathirat (1548–71) and was patronised by the monarchy right up until 1975.<br/><br/>The temple was spared by the Black Flag gangs that sacked Luang Prabang in 1887.<br/><br/>Luang Prabang was formerly the capital of a kingdom of the same name. Until the communist takeover in 1975, it was the royal capital and seat of government of the Kingdom of Laos. The city is nowadays a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Wat Xieng Thong (Golden City Temple) with its low sweeping roofs epitomising the classic Luang Prabang style, was built in 1560 by King Setthathirat (1548–71) and was patronised by the monarchy right up until 1975.<br/><br/> The temple was spared by the Black Flag gangs that sacked Luang Prabang in 1887.<br/><br/> Luang Prabang was formerly the capital of a kingdom of the same name. Until the communist takeover in 1975, it was the royal capital and seat of government of the Kingdom of Laos. The city is nowadays a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Asian or Asiatic Elephant (Elephas maximus) is the only living species of the genus Elephas and is distributed throughout the Subcontinent and Southeast Asia from India in the west to Borneo in the east. Asian elephants are the largest living land animal in Asia. There are around 2,600 elephants living in Thailand, with the majority being domesticated.
The Asian or Asiatic Elephant (Elephas maximus) is the only living species of the genus Elephas and is distributed throughout the Subcontinent and Southeast Asia from India in the west to Borneo in the east. Asian elephants are the largest living land animal in Asia. There are around 2,600 elephants living in Thailand, with the majority being domesticated.
The Asian or Asiatic Elephant (Elephas maximus) is the only living species of the genus Elephas and is distributed throughout the Subcontinent and Southeast Asia from India in the west to Borneo in the east. Asian elephants are the largest living land animal in Asia. There are around 2,600 elephants living in Thailand, with the majority being domesticated.
The Asian or Asiatic Elephant (Elephas maximus) is the only living species of the genus Elephas and is distributed throughout the Subcontinent and Southeast Asia from India in the west to Borneo in the east. Asian elephants are the largest living land animal in Asia. There are around 2,600 elephants living in Thailand, with the majority being domesticated.
The Asian or Asiatic Elephant (Elephas maximus) is the only living species of the genus Elephas and is distributed throughout the Subcontinent and Southeast Asia from India in the west to Borneo in the east. Asian elephants are the largest living land animal in Asia. There are around 2,600 elephants living in Thailand, with the majority being domesticated.
The Asian or Asiatic Elephant (Elephas maximus) is the only living species of the genus Elephas and is distributed throughout the Subcontinent and Southeast Asia from India in the west to Borneo in the east. Asian elephants are the largest living land animal in Asia. There are around 2,600 elephants living in Thailand, with the majority being domesticated.
The Asian or Asiatic Elephant (Elephas maximus) is the only living species of the genus Elephas and is distributed throughout the Subcontinent and Southeast Asia from India in the west to Borneo in the east. Asian elephants are the largest living land animal in Asia. There are around 2,600 elephants living in Thailand, with the majority being domesticated.
The Asian or Asiatic Elephant (Elephas maximus) is the only living species of the genus Elephas and is distributed throughout the Subcontinent and Southeast Asia from India in the west to Borneo in the east. Asian elephants are the largest living land animal in Asia. There are around 2,600 elephants living in Thailand, with the majority being domesticated.
This painting of elephant combat was made during the19th century CE in the traditional Mughal style of the 17th century CE.<br/><br/> Images of elephant combat represent a popular theme in the court painting of Iran, South Asia, and sometimes Southeast Asia.
Watercolour with pen and ink of the 'Lord White Elephant', a rare and auspicious white elephant kept by the King at Amarapura. From: 'A Series of Views in Burmah taken during Major Phayre’s Mission to the Court of Ava in 1855'.
The British conquest of Burma began in 1824 in response to a Burmese attempt to invade India. By 1886, and after two further wars, Britain had incorporated the entire country into the British Raj. To stimulate trade and facilitate changes, the British brought in Indians and Chinese, who quickly displaced the Burmese in urban areas. To this day Rangoon and Mandalay have large ethnic Indian populations. Railways and schools were built, as well as a large number of prisons, including the infamous Insein Prison, then as now used for political prisoners.<br/><br/> Burmese resentment was strong and was vented in violent riots that paralysed Rangoon on occasion all the way until the 1930s. Burma was administered as a province of British India until 1937 when it became a separate, self-governing colony. Burma finally gained independence from Britain on January 4, 1948.
Wat Buak Khrok Luang, located in Ban Buak Khrok Luang Moo 1, Chiang Mai – Sankamphaeng Road, Chiang Mai, is a small and typically northern Thai Buddhist temple. It is believed to have been founded in the 15th century during the time of the independent Lan Na Kingdom (1292-1558), and was extensively restored during the reign of Chao Kaew Naowarat (r.1911-1939), the last King of Chiang Mai.<br/><br/> The temple is chiefly noteworthy for its main viharn, which is purely Lan Na in inspiration, with a four-tiered roof and elegant naga balustrade entrance. The most remarkable aspect of the viharn is its extensive mural paintings, dating from around 1835 during the reign of Chao Phuttawong (r.1826-1846), the fourth ruler of the Chiang Mai Thipchang Dynasty. The murals, which are northern Thai in style with clear elements of Shan State and Konbaung Dynasty Burmese influence, are among the best in northern Thailand. They feature the jataka stories, past lives of the Buddha, and are interspersed with vernacular scenes from everyday early 19th century northern Thai life.
Wat Buak Khrok Luang, located in Ban Buak Khrok Luang Moo 1, Chiang Mai – Sankamphaeng Road, Chiang Mai, is a small and typically northern Thai Buddhist temple. It is believed to have been founded in the 15th century during the time of the independent Lan Na Kingdom (1292-1558), and was extensively restored during the reign of Chao Kaew Naowarat (r.1911-1939), the last King of Chiang Mai.<br/><br/> The temple is chiefly noteworthy for its main viharn, which is purely Lan Na in inspiration, with a four-tiered roof and elegant naga balustrade entrance. The most remarkable aspect of the viharn is its extensive mural paintings, dating from around 1835 during the reign of Chao Phuttawong (r.1826-1846), the fourth ruler of the Chiang Mai Thipchang Dynasty. The murals, which are northern Thai in style with clear elements of Shan State and Konbaung Dynasty Burmese influence, are among the best in northern Thailand. They feature the jataka stories, past lives of the Buddha, and are interspersed with vernacular scenes from everyday early 19th century northern Thai life.
The River Mekong is the world's 12th-longest river. From its Himalayan source on the Tibetan plateau, it flows some 4,350 km (2,703 miles) through China's Yunnan province, Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, finally draining in the South China Sea. The recent construction of hydroelectric dams on the river and its tributaries has reduced the water flow dramatically during the dry season in Southeast Asia.
The Indian Elephant (Elephas maximus indicus) is one of three recognized subspecies of the Asian elephant, and native to mainland Asia.<br/><br/> In general, Asian elephants are smaller than African elephants and have the highest body point on the head. The tip of their trunk has one finger-like process. Their back is convex or level. Indian elephants reach a shoulder height of between 2 and 3.5 m (6.6 and 11.5 ft), weigh between 2,000 and 5,000 kg (4,400 and 11,000 lb), and have 19 pairs of ribs. Their skin color is lighter than of maximus with smaller patches of depigmentation, but darker than of sumatranus. Females are usually smaller than males, and have short or no tusks.<br/><br/> Indian elephants are native to mainland Asia: India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Malay Peninsular, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and China. They inhabit grasslands, dry deciduous, moist deciduous, evergreen and semi-evergreen forests.
The Perfume River crosses the city of Hue in the central Vietnamese province of Thua Thien Hue. In the autumn, flowers from orchards upriver fall into the water, giving it an aromatic smell—hence the name 'Perfume River'. The Perfume River has two sources, both of which begin in the Day Truong Son mountain range and meet at Bang Lang fork. The 30-km river passes the landmarks of the Hon Chen Temple and the Ngoc Tran Temple.
The Asian or Asiatic Elephant (Elephas maximus) is the only living species of the genus Elephas and is distributed throughout the Subcontinent and Southeast Asia from India in the west to Borneo in the east. Asian elephants are the largest living land animal in Asia. There are around 2,600 elephants living in Thailand, with the majority being domesticated.<br/><br/> Ayutthaya (Ayudhya) was a Siamese kingdom that existed from 1351 to 1767. Ayutthaya was friendly towards foreign traders, including the Chinese, Vietnamese (Annamese), Indians, Japanese and Persians, and later the Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch and French, permitting them to set up villages outside the city walls. In the sixteenth century, it was described by foreign traders as one of the biggest and wealthiest cities in the East. The court of King Narai (1656–1688) had strong links with that of King Louis XIV of France, whose ambassadors compared the city in size and wealth to Paris.
The Asian or Asiatic Elephant (Elephas maximus) is the only living species of the genus Elephas and is distributed throughout the Subcontinent and Southeast Asia from India in the west to Borneo in the east. Asian elephants are the largest living land animal in Asia. There are around 2,600 elephants living in Thailand, with the majority being domesticated.<br/><br/> Ayutthaya (Ayudhya) was a Siamese kingdom that existed from 1351 to 1767. Ayutthaya was friendly towards foreign traders, including the Chinese, Vietnamese (Annamese), Indians, Japanese and Persians, and later the Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch and French, permitting them to set up villages outside the city walls. In the sixteenth century, it was described by foreign traders as one of the biggest and wealthiest cities in the East. The court of King Narai (1656–1688) had strong links with that of King Louis XIV of France, whose ambassadors compared the city in size and wealth to Paris.
The Asian or Asiatic Elephant (Elephas maximus) is the only living species of the genus Elephas and is distributed throughout the Subcontinent and Southeast Asia from India in the west to Borneo in the east. Asian elephants are the largest living land animal in Asia. There are around 2,600 elephants living in Thailand, with the majority being domesticated.<br/><br/> Ayutthaya (Ayudhya) was a Siamese kingdom that existed from 1351 to 1767. Ayutthaya was friendly towards foreign traders, including the Chinese, Vietnamese (Annamese), Indians, Japanese and Persians, and later the Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch and French, permitting them to set up villages outside the city walls. In the sixteenth century, it was described by foreign traders as one of the biggest and wealthiest cities in the East. The court of King Narai (1656–1688) had strong links with that of King Louis XIV of France, whose ambassadors compared the city in size and wealth to Paris.
The Asian or Asiatic Elephant (Elephas maximus) is the only living species of the genus Elephas and is distributed throughout the Subcontinent and Southeast Asia from India in the west to Borneo in the east. Asian elephants are the largest living land animal in Asia. There are around 2,600 elephants living in Thailand, with the majority being domesticated.<br/><br/> Ayutthaya (Ayudhya) was a Siamese kingdom that existed from 1351 to 1767. Ayutthaya was friendly towards foreign traders, including the Chinese, Vietnamese (Annamese), Indians, Japanese and Persians, and later the Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch and French, permitting them to set up villages outside the city walls. In the sixteenth century, it was described by foreign traders as one of the biggest and wealthiest cities in the East. The court of King Narai (1656–1688) had strong links with that of King Louis XIV of France, whose ambassadors compared the city in size and wealth to Paris.
The Asian or Asiatic Elephant (Elephas maximus) is the only living species of the genus Elephas and is distributed throughout the Subcontinent and Southeast Asia from India in the west to Borneo in the east. Asian elephants are the largest living land animal in Asia. There are around 2,600 elephants living in Thailand, with the majority being domesticated.<br/><br/> Ayutthaya (Ayudhya) was a Siamese kingdom that existed from 1351 to 1767. Ayutthaya was friendly towards foreign traders, including the Chinese, Vietnamese (Annamese), Indians, Japanese and Persians, and later the Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch and French, permitting them to set up villages outside the city walls. In the sixteenth century, it was described by foreign traders as one of the biggest and wealthiest cities in the East. The court of King Narai (1656–1688) had strong links with that of King Louis XIV of France, whose ambassadors compared the city in size and wealth to Paris.
The Asian or Asiatic Elephant (Elephas maximus) is the only living species of the genus Elephas and is distributed throughout the Subcontinent and Southeast Asia from India in the west to Borneo in the east. Asian elephants are the largest living land animal in Asia. There are around 2,600 elephants living in Thailand, with the majority being domesticated.<br/><br/> Ayutthaya (Ayudhya) was a Siamese kingdom that existed from 1351 to 1767. Ayutthaya was friendly towards foreign traders, including the Chinese, Vietnamese (Annamese), Indians, Japanese and Persians, and later the Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch and French, permitting them to set up villages outside the city walls. In the sixteenth century, it was described by foreign traders as one of the biggest and wealthiest cities in the East. The court of King Narai (1656–1688) had strong links with that of King Louis XIV of France, whose ambassadors compared the city in size and wealth to Paris.
In the 19th century, the Asian Elephant held a prominent position in Siam, although they were hunted regularly north of Ayutthaya and the Lao States (present day, Chiang Mai province and Isan). Not only were elephants used as beasts of burden in agriculture and for hauling timber, but they were active in war leading cavalry charges against the enemy. Elephants were frequently employed in the Siamese-Burmese wars of the Middle Ages. Siam's kings kept elephants, especially prized albino elephants, in elaborate stables. An adult Asian Elephant regularly lives to 90 years of age, grows to 2.5 to 3 meters in height and consumes about 100 kg of hay, fruit and vegetables per day. During the reigns of King Mongkut Rama IV (1851—68) and King Chulalongkorn (1868—1910), the national flag of Siam was a white elephant on a red background.
The Terrace of the Elephants was used by King Jayavarman VII to review his victorious army.<br/><br/> Angkor Thom, meaning ‘The Great City’, is located one mile north of Angkor Wat. It was built in the late 12th century by King Jayavarman VII, and covers an area of 9 km², within which are located several monuments from earlier eras as well as those established by Jayavarman and his successors. It is believed to have sustained a population of 80,000-150,000 people.<br/><br/> At the centre of the city is Jayavarman's state temple, the Bayon, with the other major sites clustered around the Victory Square immediately to the north. Angkor Thom was established as the capital of Jayavarman VII's empire, and was the centre of his massive building programme. One inscription found in the city refers to Jayavarman as the groom and the city as his bride.<br/><br/> Angkor Thom seems not to be the first Khmer capital on the site, however, as Yasodharapura, dating from three centuries earlier, was centred slightly further northwest. The last temple known to have been constructed in Angkor Thom was Mangalartha, which was dedicated in 1295. In the following centuries Angkor Thom remained the capital of a kingdom in decline until it was abandoned some time prior to 1609.
The Asian or Asiatic Elephant (Elephas maximus) is the only living species of the genus Elephas and is distributed throughout the Subcontinent and Southeast Asia from India in the west to Borneo in the east. Asian elephants are the largest living land animal in Asia. There are around 2,600 elephants living in Thailand, with the majority being domesticated.
Angkor Thom is located one mile north of Angkor Wat. It was built in the late 12th century by king Jayavarman VII, and covers an area of 9 km², within which are located several monuments from earlier eras as well as those established by Jayavarman and his successors. It is believed to have sustained a population of 80,000-150,000 people. At the centre of the city is Jayavarman's state temple, the Bayon, with the other major sites clustered around the Victory Square immediately to the north.<br/><br/> Angkor Thom was established as the capital of Jayavarman VII's empire, and was the centre of his massive building programme. One inscription found in the city refers to Jayavarman as the groom and the city as his bride.<br/><br/> Angkor Thom seems not to be the first Khmer capital on the site, however, as Yasodharapura, dating from three centuries earlier, was centred slightly further northwest.<br/><br/> The last temple known to have been constructed in Angkor Thom was Mangalartha, which was dedicated in 1295. In the following centuries Angkor Thom remained the capital of a kingdom in decline until it was abandoned some time prior to 1609.
The Terrace of the Elephants was used by King Jayavarman VII to review his victorious army.<br/><br/> Angkor Thom, meaning ‘The Great City’, is located one mile north of Angkor Wat. It was built in the late 12th century by King Jayavarman VII, and covers an area of 9 km², within which are located several monuments from earlier eras as well as those established by Jayavarman and his successors. It is believed to have sustained a population of 80,000-150,000 people.<br/><br/> At the centre of the city is Jayavarman's state temple, the Bayon, with the other major sites clustered around the Victory Square immediately to the north. Angkor Thom was established as the capital of Jayavarman VII's empire, and was the centre of his massive building programme. One inscription found in the city refers to Jayavarman as the groom and the city as his bride.<br/><br/> Angkor Thom seems not to be the first Khmer capital on the site, however, as Yasodharapura, dating from three centuries earlier, was centred slightly further northwest. The last temple known to have been constructed in Angkor Thom was Mangalartha, which was dedicated in 1295. In the following centuries Angkor Thom remained the capital of a kingdom in decline until it was abandoned some time prior to 1609.
The Terrace of the Elephants was used by King Jayavarman VII to review his victorious army.<br/><br/> Angkor Thom, meaning ‘The Great City’, is located one mile north of Angkor Wat. It was built in the late 12th century by King Jayavarman VII, and covers an area of 9 km², within which are located several monuments from earlier eras as well as those established by Jayavarman and his successors. It is believed to have sustained a population of 80,000-150,000 people.<br/><br/> At the centre of the city is Jayavarman's state temple, the Bayon, with the other major sites clustered around the Victory Square immediately to the north. Angkor Thom was established as the capital of Jayavarman VII's empire, and was the centre of his massive building programme. One inscription found in the city refers to Jayavarman as the groom and the city as his bride.<br/><br/> Angkor Thom seems not to be the first Khmer capital on the site, however, as Yasodharapura, dating from three centuries earlier, was centred slightly further northwest. The last temple known to have been constructed in Angkor Thom was Mangalartha, which was dedicated in 1295. In the following centuries Angkor Thom remained the capital of a kingdom in decline until it was abandoned some time prior to 1609.
The Dutch East India Company (VOC) was set up in 1602 to gain a foothold in the East Indies (Indonesia) for the Dutch in the lucrative spice trade, which until that point was dominated by the Portuguese.<br/><br/> It was a chartered company granted a monopoly by the Dutch government to carry out colonial activities in Asia, including establishing colonies in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and India.
In the 19th century, the Asian Elephant held a prominent position in Siam, although they were hunted regularly north of Ayutthaya and the Lao States (present day, Chiang Mai province and Isan). Not only were elephants used as beasts of burden in agriculture and for hauling timber, but they were active in war leading cavalry charges against the enemy. Elephants were frequently employed in the Siamese-Burmese wars of the Middle Ages. Siam's kings kept elephants, especially prized albino elephants, in elaborate stables. An adult Asian Elephant regularly lives to 90 years of age, grows to 2.5 to 3 meters in height and consumes about 100 kg of hay, fruit and vegetables per day. During the reigns of King Mongkut Rama IV (1851—68) and King Chulalongkorn (1868—1910), the national flag of Siam was a white elephant on a red background.
In the 19th century, the Asian Elephant held a prominent position in Siam, although they were hunted regularly north of Ayutthaya and the Lao States (present day, Chiang Mai province and Isan). Not only were elephants used as beasts of burden in agriculture and for hauling timber, but they were active in war leading cavalry charges against the enemy. Elephants were frequently employed in the Siamese-Burmese wars of the Middle Ages. Siam's kings kept elephants, especially prized albino elephants, in elaborate stables. An adult Asian Elephant regularly lives to 90 years of age, grows to 2.5 to 3 meters in height and consumes about 100 kg of hay, fruit and vegetables per day. During the reigns of King Mongkut Rama IV (1851—68) and King Chulalongkorn (1868—1910), the national flag of Siam was a white elephant on a red background.
In the 19th century, the Asian Elephant held a prominent position in Siam, although they were hunted regularly north of Ayutthaya and the Lao States (present day, Chiang Mai province and Isan). Not only were elephants used as beasts of burden in agriculture and for hauling timber, but they were active in war leading cavalry charges against the enemy. Elephants were frequently employed in the Siamese-Burmese wars of the Middle Ages. Siam's kings kept elephants, especially prized albino elephants, in elaborate stables. An adult Asian Elephant regularly lives to 90 years of age, grows to 2.5 to 3 meters in height and consumes about 100 kg of hay, fruit and vegetables per day. During the reigns of King Mongkut Rama IV (1851—68) and King Chulalongkorn (1868—1910), the national flag of Siam was a white elephant on a red background.
In the 19th century, the Asian Elephant held a prominent position in Siam, although they were hunted regularly north of Ayutthaya and the Lao States (present day, Chiang Mai province and Isan). Not only were elephants used as beasts of burden in agriculture and for hauling timber, but they were active in war leading cavalry charges against the enemy. Elephants were frequently employed in the Siamese-Burmese wars of the Middle Ages. Siam's kings kept elephants, especially prized albino elephants, in elaborate stables. An adult Asian Elephant regularly lives to 90 years of age, grows to 2.5 to 3 meters in height and consumes about 100 kg of hay, fruit and vegetables per day. During the reigns of King Mongkut Rama IV (1851—68) and King Chulalongkorn (1868—1910), the national flag of Siam was a white elephant on a red background.
In the 19th century, the Asian Elephant held a prominent position in Siam, although they were hunted regularly north of Ayutthaya and the Lao States (present day, Chiang Mai province and Isan). Not only were elephants used as beasts of burden in agriculture and for hauling timber, but they were active in war leading cavalry charges against the enemy. Elephants were frequently employed in the Siamese-Burmese wars of the Middle Ages. Siam's kings kept elephants, especially prized albino elephants, in elaborate stables. An adult Asian Elephant regularly lives to 90 years of age, grows to 2.5 to 3 meters in height and consumes about 100 kg of hay, fruit and vegetables per day. During the reigns of King Mongkut Rama IV (1851—68) and King Chulalongkorn (1868—1910), the national flag of Siam was a white elephant on a red background.
In the 19th century, the Asian Elephant held a prominent position in Siam, although they were hunted regularly north of Ayutthaya and the Lao States (present day, Chiang Mai province and Isan). Not only were elephants used as beasts of burden in agriculture and for hauling timber, but they were active in war leading cavalry charges against the enemy. Elephants were frequently employed in the Siamese-Burmese wars of the Middle Ages. Siam's kings kept elephants, especially prized albino elephants, in elaborate stables. An adult Asian Elephant regularly lives to 90 years of age, grows to 2.5 to 3 meters in height and consumes about 100 kg of hay, fruit and vegetables per day. During the reigns of King Mongkut Rama IV (1851—68) and King Chulalongkorn (1868—1910), the national flag of Siam was a white elephant on a red background.
In the 19th century, the Asian Elephant held a prominent position in Siam, although they were hunted regularly north of Ayutthaya and the Lao States (present day, Chiang Mai province and Isan). Not only were elephants used as beasts of burden in agriculture and for hauling timber, but they were active in war leading cavalry charges against the enemy. Elephants were frequently employed in the Siamese-Burmese wars of the Middle Ages. Siam's kings kept elephants, especially prized albino elephants, in elaborate stables. An adult Asian Elephant regularly lives to 90 years of age, grows to 2.5 to 3 meters in height and consumes about 100 kg of hay, fruit and vegetables per day. During the reigns of King Mongkut Rama IV (1851—68) and King Chulalongkorn (1868—1910), the national flag of Siam was a white elephant on a red background.
The Asian or Asiatic Elephant (Elephas maximus) is the only living species of the genus Elephas and is distributed throughout the Subcontinent and Southeast Asia from India in the west to Borneo in the east. Asian elephants are the largest living land animal in Asia. There are around 2,600 elephants living in Thailand, with the majority being domesticated.
The Asian or Asiatic Elephant (Elephas maximus) is the only living species of the genus Elephas and is distributed throughout the Subcontinent and Southeast Asia from India in the west to Borneo in the east. Asian elephants are the largest living land animal in Asia. There are around 2,600 elephants living in Thailand, with the majority being domesticated.
The Asian or Asiatic Elephant (Elephas maximus) is the only living species of the genus Elephas and is distributed throughout the Subcontinent and Southeast Asia from India in the west to Borneo in the east. Asian elephants are the largest living land animal in Asia. There are around 2,600 elephants living in Thailand, with the majority being domesticated.
The Asian or Asiatic Elephant (Elephas maximus) is the only living species of the genus Elephas and is distributed throughout the Subcontinent and Southeast Asia from India in the west to Borneo in the east. Asian elephants are the largest living land animal in Asia. There are around 2,600 elephants living in Thailand, with the majority being domesticated.
The Asian or Asiatic Elephant (Elephas maximus) is the only living species of the genus Elephas and is distributed throughout the Subcontinent and Southeast Asia from India in the west to Borneo in the east. Asian elephants are the largest living land animal in Asia. There are around 2,600 elephants living in Thailand, with the majority being domesticated.
Wat Hang Dong วัด หางดง is a typical example of traditional Lan Na temple architecture. The old viharn at this temple is a little more elaborate than its counterpart at nearby Wat Ton Kwen, but is essentially similar in shape, style and appearance. Also dark and intimate, with a low, sweeping, three-tiered roof, the viharn shelters a collection of Buddha images, at least two of which – to the right and left of the main Buddha image – are distinctively Lao in style and yet somehow strangely primitive.<br/><br/> The old viharn at Wat Hang Dong has now been beautifully restored, and a new ubosot has also been added just a few metres to the northwest. This newer structure follows quite faithfully the traditional Lan Na design (the sum of some windows are perhaps over-elaborate and seem to show significant traces of Burmese influence), but overall the new ubosot at Wat Hang Dong both mirrors and complements the old viharn.
The Asian or Asiatic Elephant (Elephas maximus) is the only living species of the genus Elephas and is distributed throughout the Subcontinent and Southeast Asia from India in the west to Borneo in the east. Asian elephants are the largest living land animal in Asia. There are around 2,600 elephants living in Thailand, with the majority being domesticated.
The Asian or Asiatic Elephant (Elephas maximus) is the only living species of the genus Elephas and is distributed throughout the Subcontinent and Southeast Asia from India in the west to Borneo in the east. Asian elephants are the largest living land animal in Asia. There are around 2,600 elephants living in Thailand, with the majority being domesticated.<br/><br/> Ayutthaya (Ayudhya) was a Siamese kingdom that existed from 1351 to 1767. Ayutthaya was friendly towards foreign traders, including the Chinese, Vietnamese (Annamese), Indians, Japanese and Persians, and later the Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch and French, permitting them to set up villages outside the city walls. In the sixteenth century, it was described by foreign traders as one of the biggest and wealthiest cities in the East. The court of King Narai (1656–1688) had strong links with that of King Louis XIV of France, whose ambassadors compared the city in size and wealth to Paris.
The Asian or Asiatic Elephant (Elephas maximus) is the only living species of the genus Elephas and is distributed throughout the Subcontinent and Southeast Asia from India in the west to Borneo in the east. Asian elephants are the largest living land animal in Asia. There are around 2,600 elephants living in Thailand, with the majority being domesticated.<br/><br/> Ayutthaya (Ayudhya) was a Siamese kingdom that existed from 1351 to 1767. Ayutthaya was friendly towards foreign traders, including the Chinese, Vietnamese (Annamese), Indians, Japanese and Persians, and later the Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch and French, permitting them to set up villages outside the city walls. In the sixteenth century, it was described by foreign traders as one of the biggest and wealthiest cities in the East. The court of King Narai (1656–1688) had strong links with that of King Louis XIV of France, whose ambassadors compared the city in size and wealth to Paris.
The Asian or Asiatic Elephant (Elephas maximus) is the only living species of the genus Elephas and is distributed throughout the Subcontinent and Southeast Asia from India in the west to Borneo in the east. Asian elephants are the largest living land animal in Asia. There are around 2,600 elephants living in Thailand, with the majority being domesticated.<br/><br/> Ayutthaya (Ayudhya) was a Siamese kingdom that existed from 1351 to 1767. Ayutthaya was friendly towards foreign traders, including the Chinese, Vietnamese (Annamese), Indians, Japanese and Persians, and later the Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch and French, permitting them to set up villages outside the city walls. In the sixteenth century, it was described by foreign traders as one of the biggest and wealthiest cities in the East. The court of King Narai (1656–1688) had strong links with that of King Louis XIV of France, whose ambassadors compared the city in size and wealth to Paris.
The Asian or Asiatic Elephant (Elephas maximus) is the only living species of the genus Elephas and is distributed throughout the Subcontinent and Southeast Asia from India in the west to Borneo in the east. Asian elephants are the largest living land animal in Asia. There are around 2,600 elephants living in Thailand, with the majority being domesticated.<br/><br/> Ayutthaya (Ayudhya) was a Siamese kingdom that existed from 1351 to 1767. Ayutthaya was friendly towards foreign traders, including the Chinese, Vietnamese (Annamese), Indians, Japanese and Persians, and later the Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch and French, permitting them to set up villages outside the city walls. In the sixteenth century, it was described by foreign traders as one of the biggest and wealthiest cities in the East. The court of King Narai (1656–1688) had strong links with that of King Louis XIV of France, whose ambassadors compared the city in size and wealth to Paris.
The Asian or Asiatic Elephant (Elephas maximus) is the only living species of the genus Elephas and is distributed throughout the Subcontinent and Southeast Asia from India in the west to Borneo in the east. Asian elephants are the largest living land animal in Asia. There are around 2,600 elephants living in Thailand, with the majority being domesticated.<br/><br/> Ayutthaya (Ayudhya) was a Siamese kingdom that existed from 1351 to 1767. Ayutthaya was friendly towards foreign traders, including the Chinese, Vietnamese (Annamese), Indians, Japanese and Persians, and later the Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch and French, permitting them to set up villages outside the city walls. In the sixteenth century, it was described by foreign traders as one of the biggest and wealthiest cities in the East. The court of King Narai (1656–1688) had strong links with that of King Louis XIV of France, whose ambassadors compared the city in size and wealth to Paris.