Check out this huge elephant banquet!Published15 March 2022Image source, ReutersImage caption, The day was first introduced by the Thai government in 1998. It's celebrated every year on the day when the white elephant was added to the old version of the Thai flag.Image source, ReutersImage caption, Elephants are a big source of national pride for Thailand and they play an important part in the country's history. They've been used for labour, transport, and battlefield triumphs by warriors and kings.Image source, ReutersImage caption, This event took place at Nong Nooch Tropical Garden in Thailand's eastern Chonburi province.Image source, ReutersImage caption, The elephants were treated to a huge banquet to celebrate. A whopping two tonnes of fruits and vegetables were laid out on an eight-metre wide table for the animals to munch on.Image source, ReutersImage caption, The colourful fruit selection included watermelons, bananas and pineapples.Image source, ReutersImage caption, Despite the importance elephants hold in Thai culture, it's not all good news for the animals. Animal rights groups have long been calling for the elephant camps in Thailand to end animal shows and rides, branding the shows as a form of animal abuse.More on this storyWorld Elephant Day: Ten reasons we love elephantsPublished12 August 2023Elephants counted from space for conservation projectPublished22 January 2021Quiz: How much do you know about elephants?Published31 March 2020