My Friendship with Pai Jai the Elephant

stewsak (69)in #travel • 8 years ago

My loving friendship with Pai Jai the Elephant started years ago when I was shooting a travel show pilot for one of the networks in Thailand. As we were shooting and while I was saying my dialog while riding him, he let out a thunderous scream. I asked his mahout what was wrong and he replied that Pai Jai was mad. That's the last thing I wanted to hear. I started speaking to him because elephants are aware they're elephants so he was aware that I was trying to calm him down. I promised to shower him with sugar canes and bananas when we finished and also that I would come back and visit him every time I'm in Lampang. Pending his musth periods, promises that I've kept to this day.

Pai Jai was born the year of the horse and we're the same age. His mahout wasn't around so we couldn't get close to him but I know he knows it was me from all the candy, sugar canes and bananas we've shared over the years. I'm so happy you all can join me for my annual trip to Lampang to visit my great elephant friend Pai Jai at the Elephant Conservation Center. I love this elephant!