"Elephant lovers" gathered in front of the embassy to demand the return of 'Plai Pratupha' and 'Plai Srinarong,' citing misuse in Sri Lanka, calling for their return to Thailand to retire and rest at home.
Thailand sent Thai elephants to Sri Lanka as a symbol of friendship to train them for "carrying the sacred relics," but the elephants have been heavily and continuously used in festival parades throughout the year.
On 10 Aug 2026 GMT+7, elephant lovers gathered at the Sri Lankan Embassy in Thailand to submit a letter requesting that their voices be heard and the welfare of Plai Pratupha and Plai Srinarong, Thai elephants in Sri Lanka, be considered. The delegation was led by Mr. Siranat Scott (Sai Scott) and Dr. Yuwanut Kiatwong (Dr. Noonie).
Regarding the history of sending elephants to Sri Lanka: Plai Pratupha was sent to Sri Lanka in 1980 by the Royal Forest Department as the first elephant, at about five years old. Plai Saksurin and Plai Srinarong were sent in 2001 upon Sri Lanka’s request to train them for carrying the sacred relics during annual relic parades. Plai Saksurin was returned to Thailand for treatment on 2 July 2023 GMT+7.
The main reason Plai Saksurin was returned earlier than the other elephants was due to critical health problems and severe injuries from heavy use. Symptoms included a stiff and deformed left front leg, cataract in the right eye, large abscesses on both hips, and accumulated stress. Veterinarians and experts agreed that leaving the elephant untreated could be life-threatening, with Sri Lankan consent following diplomatic procedures.
Thairath Online's special news team interviewed Sai Scott about joining the campaign to reclaim Thai elephants from Sri Lanka. Sai stated they want to call for the elephants’ return because Sri Lanka misused them. Government agencies have yet to show clear progress despite decades of calls. Last year, over 1.6 million people supported the "Bring Thai Elephants Home" campaign.
Sai also said he wants both Thai and Sri Lankan governments to show commitment. If the governments are not ready to act, the people will push forward, and governments can follow if they wish. However, the diplomatic representatives deny that anything improper has happened to the two elephants sent to Sri Lanka.
Sai added that in this industrialized era, it is special that humans still genuinely connect with living beings. We live in a time where we don’t have to wait for governments to represent us; everyone can lead because technology allows communication through online media.
Dr. Noonie said that elephant lovers have united to demand freedom for the two elephants so the world can witness animal welfare and recognize that cruelty should not be ignored. These elephants are like distant family, and they want them to be allowed to return home.
Dr. Noonie stated that based on firsthand evidence from her visit to Sri Lanka, the elephants are suffering. She urged those wanting to reclaim the Thai elephants not to think signing petitions is useless, believing every voice matters despite embassy neglect. They plan to push this to the global level and will reopen petition signing, warning everyone to beware of unreliable links.
Protesters attending the event remarked that elephants, like humans, need to return home to rest when they grow old. They want to be the voice for the two elephants and demand their right to return home. They want the government to participate as a voice since the government announced an MOU to ensure the welfare of the two Thai elephants with Sri Lanka, but the elephants’ actual conditions do not meet MOU standards. They want the elephants returned in good health, not due to injury or disability.
They hope the government sees how China sends pandas to Thailand with thorough care, yet Thailand shows little concern despite the two elephants’ hardships. Meanwhile, worldwide protests have emerged about Sri Lanka’s elephant conservation practices.