Approaches to Thai Elephant Catching : A Case Study of Tamra Khotchasat and Related Thai Documents

Abstract

The research titled “Approaches to Thai Elephant Catching : A Case Study of Tamra Khotchasat and Related Thai Documents” aims to examine the approaches to elephant catching as documented in studies, books, and other sources. This involves collecting categorizing, and analyzing Thai elephant-catching techniques.

          The findings reveal that Thai elephant-catching method can be classified into three categories. Firstly, traditional methods comprise ten approaches:
1) capturing with lassos in open fields 2) capturing in stockades 3) herding into herds 4) using pitfalls 5) water trapping 6) using female elephants as decoys
7) capturing pet baby elephants 8) tethering elephants outdoors 9) lasso throwing, and 10) herding into cages.; Secondly popular methods consist of three approaches: 1) herding into herds, 2) capturing with lassos outdoors, and 3) capturing in stockades.; Lastly, methods regulated during the reign of Rama 6, as per the Wild Elephant Protection Act, B.E. 2464, with two approaches identified: 1) capturing with lassos in open fields and 2) capturing in stockades. Analyzing the content of Thai elephant catching reveals three patterns. Pattern 1 – includes chasing and catching outdoors, such as capturing with lassos in open fields and water trapping.; Pattern 2) – involves herding elephants into enclosures or specified areas, which entails creating suitable environment for capturing, such as fertile areas where-wild elephants reside or areas abundant in food sources. This includes herding into herds, capturing in stockades, tethering elephants outdoors, herding into cages, and pitfalls.; Finally, pattern 3 involves using lasso throwing, female elephants as decoys, and capturing pet baby elephants.