Life-size Thai elephants a new attraction in Baguio

BAGUIO CITY — Thailand’s ambassador to the Philippines inaugurated recently the elephants display at the Botanical Garden in this city – a spectacular expression of the friendship between the two nations.

“This is our gift; this is our contribution to boost tourist arrivals in the city and to our diplomatic relations,” said His Excellency Ambassador Thanatip Upatising, before a Monday afternoon crowd that gathered by the life-sized Thai elephants fashioned out of concrete.

The Thai Ambassador also expressed his thanks and gratitude to the people of Baguio for accepting their national animal to be part of the Summer Capital’s tourist attraction.

And it came not just as one piece but a family of elephants.

Measuring 12-feet high, the parentelephants come with two medium-sized young and a calf (baby elephant) in frolic.

Taking pride in Thailand’s gift, Amb. Upatising said the elephants were designed and molded by three famous Thai craftsmen Somphong “Subin” Boonthip, Prasan Prasatketkarn and Nitithivatat “Tum” Khanthanankham.

The donation manifests the 70 years of diplomatic friendship between the Philippines and Thailand, symbolizing the nation’s manual labor, royal iconography for centuries, and the official national animal of Thailand for centuries.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan expressed his gratitude for the officials of the Royal Embassy of Thailand and SCG.

He said the structures will definitely entice more foreign and domestic visitors to consider the Botanical Garden as one of their must-see areas in the city, especially since the Yuletide season is underway and people flock to the city to escape from the extreme heat of the lowlands.