New baby elephant ‘brings luck’ to Anantara Golden Triangle Resort & Spa

A new little bundle of joy has brought a token of good luck to the delight of the on-site Elephant Camp at Anantara Golden Triangle Resort & Spa in Chiang Rai, Thailand. The baby elephant was born at 4.10 am on the 23rd of May 2010, and was welcomed into the world with the nickname Nong 'Phil. The healthy baby boy weighed in at an estimated 100kg, standing 91cm tall at the shoulder and measuring 120cm from forehead to tail.

Named, as is tradition, by his mahouts and owners, Nong ‘Phil’s formal name is Plai Pa Choke, meaning “to bring luck”, and is seen by all as an extremely apt title in light of the nation’s current desire for healing and peace.

Nong ‘Phil is the Elephant Camp’s third on-site birth, but the first to be conceived there. Such a unique status at the camp is further accompanied by some rather unusual features. Fathered by the handsome Phu Khi, Nong ‘Phil was born with some strange proportions, which are apparently quite a normal occurrence. He has four different sized feet, which may well explain the short stagger he currently calls a walk. He was suckling within only two hours, and by daylight had enjoyed his first feed, thanks to his experienced mother.

Nong 'Phil, like most Thai folk, will be known by his two syllable nickname for the rest of his life. Of equal interest as his official name, even his nickname denotes the special timing of his birth, since he was born while under the recent curfew with his full nickname being ‘Nong Curfew’ (or ‘Little Curfew’). However, as the Thai pronunciation of curfew is something akin to ‘Chlorophyll’, the shortened version of ‘Phil was soon adopted. Though officially born at a time in breach of the curfew law, the naming of this beautiful baby is considered to be rather ironic by all who were present at Anantara Golden Triangle, since daily life was completely unaffected by events in Bangkok. Staff members such as John Roberts, Director of Elephants claimed that the 8pm curfew was simply their usual bedtime hour!

And so it seems that this omen of good luck has many far reaching benefits, not least for the fortunate staff and guests who can enjoy watching Nong ‘Phil’s first wobbly baby footsteps.