STORY: Three tonnes of tropical fruits and vegetables were laid out on an 8-meter table to treat elephants.

Nong Nooch Tropical Garden has celebrated National Elephant Day for 13 years as a source of national pride and cultural identity for Thailand throughout its history.

Thai people have had a tight-knit relationship with elephants since ancient times when elephants played a significant role in transportation, Tansacha said.

In 1998, the Thai government declared March 13 to annually be Thai National Elephant Day for the conservation of Thai Elephants.