Elephant Graveyard
Location : Krapo Sub-district, Tha Tum District, Surin 32120
Open : every day
Further Enquiries : TAT Surin Office Tel. 044-514447-8
Before becoming the “Elephant Cemetary” Dr.Prakrusamuh Harn Panyatharo or Luang Por Harn Panyatharo, Abbot of Wat Pa A Jiang Forest Monastery who was a disciple of “Pu Hong-Pu Rit” who was keeping the heritage of the ancient Gui (Guay) folk; He dreamt that an elephant he had before told him that he wanted to come home to him. He started to build the Elephant Cemetery and kept detailed records of each and every elephant as formerly, an elephant would be buried where he passed as they were too heavy to move. But after 5 years the bones would be exhumed and merit making would be possible. There are two methods, to cremate the remains or interred in the Elephant Cemetery which the Abbot consents to. This is to symbolize that here is a Elephant keeping village and it is considered a conservation method or to show gratefulness to the elephants for being warriors in past wars defending the nation as can be seen on every tomb a warrior’s hat and also to referring to the history of the race of “Guay Elephant Keepers”
The Elephant Cemetery of Wat Pa A Jiang is the only Elephant Cemetery of Surin. There is a large collection on elephant bones from various areas amounting to more than 100 elephants for latter generations to learn to revere and be conscious of the importance of Thai Elephants in the Buddhist belief. The location in within an elephant keepers village, Ban Nong Bua, a first and original community of elephant keepers. The way of life of this community is close-knit and intertwined with elephants. In the past, there would be elephant corralling parties going into the forest and keeping them. When the numbers grew the villagers started to domesticate them to help with the community’s workload be it housework or show work. As time passed the relationship of man and elephant deepened.
On the 13th of March every year there would be a sacrificial ceremony to honour the souls of the elephants. The sacrifice would be pig’s head, chicken, banana tree, sugarcane, etc. to dedicate these to the elephants who died. The ceremony would be conducted by an Elephant Shaman from the Suay tribe who is called Mor Sadam to also remember past Mahouts, elephant corralling for the younger generation to learn the rituals concerning elephants past and present. Also, within the temple there is also a Gui silk weaving group at the Erawan pavilion and a center for Wisdom, knowledge and history of the Gui Folk, the art of Keeping Elephants and the different characteristics of elephants and Buddhist rituals concerning elephants.