With the rains due to start in the next couple of weeks we are so pleased that our builders have pulled out all stops and we are confident they will complete the roadway and tracks at the site right on schedule. One very important aspect was drainage – and this was a serious part of the cost of the work – as the rain can be so heavy there would have been a real danger of parts of the newly laid concrete being washed away. Also, the layers of concrete could only be laid on carefully prepared with crushed stone and sand to achieve the desired load-bearing capacity and absorb loads that will include trucks carrying one or two elephants, as well as lorries full of builders’ materials for the next stages of development.

We are very pleased to have come so far in such a short time, thanks to some wonderful grants that we have received.  We will continue to fund raise actively so that we can move quickly to complete the clinic and build the education centre. If you can help us in any way at all please let us know by clicking here.

It has been hugely helpful to have one of our Trustees, and Chairman of our sister Thai charity, Jakrapob Thaotad, on hand to monitor and project manage the road building. It has taken a lot of his time but what an achievement! Thanks, Jake.

When the monks advised it was an auspicious day, we arranged a special blessing at the new site of our elephant Veterinary Centre near Ban Ton Sae.  We invited a deeply respected and venerable monk, Phra Sirindhorn, to visit and offer prayers that the constructions works now underway would be completed successfully.

This sacred ground-breaking ceremony focused on consecrating the ‘main pillar’ of the new building of the Centre. The contractors participated throughout and the pillar, of specific dimensions and precisely placed, was erected with banana shoots and sugar cane on each side and special gifts were provided. Prayers were offered that the enterprise will thrive and the site will truly become a wonderful haven for elephants and for the community. Our Thai trustee, Jakrapob Thaotad, was central to the ceremony.

Such an age-old ceremony leads to a spiritual boost for the construction team and provides great confidence in their workmanship. The date for the ceremony, the location of the central pillar and the items to be used in the ceremony are all carefully chosen and reflect centuries of tradition.  We include sacred woods, gold leaf, gold, silver and bronze coins and a holy thread, all with very special meanings. The offerings were buried alongside flowers and sealed in concrete, as tradition dictates.

It was a very special day for us as the work now gets underway.

Our President, Sir Richard Armstrong paid a visit to Ban Ton Sae last week and spent two days reviewing progress with STEF trustee Jakrapob Thaotad. Jake lives near the site and has been overseeing all the work during the last year, clearing the plantation of rubber trees, removing palm oil trees, dredging the ponds, planting new eco-friendly, sustainable trees and shrubs, grasses and aquatic plants including the sacred lotus.

Sir Richard closely follows all developments in STEF and attends all meetings of the trustees (with Jake usually participating on Skype). He expressed his delight at the progress that had been made sine his last visit in 2018. With Jake, they discussed the plans for the new Veterinary Centre that we hope to complete within the year. We are currently actively fundraising for the funds needed to complete the work.

The location at Ban Ton Sae is quite beautiful and now the ponds are being cleared, the grasses are growing well and the trees have established themselves we can begin to see what the haven will look like and how peaceful it will be for old, unwanted, lame or needy elephants.

Once funds are achieved for the Veterinary Centre, we will move to build our Education Centre – as, alongside health and welfare, education is the cornerstone of conservation, and we intend actively to promote knowledge about the Asian elephant, its care, and the significance of this magnificent animal in Thai culture.

If you will help us on our way, please go here to donate, or sponsor a tree or just visit our shop and buy on line. Thank you.