National Symbol
Elephants are the national symbol of Thailand and represent strength, loyalty, endurance, and intelligence. These magnificent animals have a long history in Thai society, and many locals believe that walking under one will bring you luck. The white elephant, which is pinker, signifies royalty in the Kingdom. According to Buddhist tradition, on the eve of Buddha’s birth, his mother dreamed she was given a lotus flower by a white elephant.
The Elephant Nature Park
The Elephant Nature Park (ENP) is a rescue and rehabilitation sanctuary in Chiang Mai, founded by Ms. Sangduen Chailert (K. Lek) in 1996, who still runs it today. K. Lek is affectionately known as the Elephant Whisperer. She has dedicated her life to this important work and has a deep connection with each of the animals under her care. There are currently 130 rescued elephants at the park (as of July 2021), as well as rescued cats, dogs, buffalo, and other species, which they also care for. Six baby elephants have been born since the park opened.
Part of their mission statement includes reforestation, and since the park opened, over 100,000 trees have been planted in the Mae Taeng forest area where the park is located. Species include 13 types of perennial plants, including Albizia Lebbeck, Ficus, Banyan Trees, Acacia, Poecilia, and Pterocarpus Macrocarpus.
Partnership with 137 Pillars Hotels & Resorts
The partnership came about when Anne Arrowsmith, Corporate General Manager for 137 Pillars Hotels & Resorts, was asked to showcase some of the unique aspects of Chiang Mai for a Thailand segment on The Today Show with Hoda and Jenna – a popular morning TV show in the USA. Anne chose the ENP for its authentic ethos and because it doesn’t allow elephants to be ridden. What she thought would be a day of filming turned out to be a deeply spiritual experience as she met several of the elephants and interviewed K. Lek for the program. Anne wanted to share this deeply meaningful, authentic experience with her hotel guests and to create a long-term partnership with the park to raise money to support the important work that K. Lek and her team do on a daily basis.
Launching on World Elephant Day, 12 August 2021, 137 Pillars Hotels & Resorts will offer guests at both hotels an option to donate to ENP on check-in with either a nominal amount of TBH100, 300, or 700 per night as they choose (based on 137 Pillars’ name) or a larger one-off donation if they prefer. 90% of donations will go to elephant conservation and 10% to reforestation. ENP will send a receipt and certificate to each donor.
Built in the late 1800’s, 137 Pillars House once served as the headquarters of the Borneo Company, which logged teak from the jungle using elephants. While today both deforestation and using elephants in this manner are deeply inappropriate, sadly, at the time, this was not only acceptable but welcomed in the name of progress.
