20250422 Patara sanctuary in Chiang Mai 6

Elephants with a handler at the Patara Elephant Farm near Chiang Mai: Thais in recent years have become much more protective of their nation's elephants, ever prominent characters in local folklore, religion and culture, as the animals' numbers have declined due to deforestation. (Photo by Yuki Kohara)

Thais rally around elephants as officials prepare for pandas

More funding sought for improving welfare of national symbol in wild and in captivity

APORNRATH PHOONPHONGPHIPHAT

April 26, 2025 06:00 JST

CHIANG MAI, Thailand -- Thai officials are making preparations to welcome two giant pandas that China has promised to send later this year to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two governments.

But they will not be an anniversary present: Thailand will be paying for the bears. The kingdom is expected to host the pandas under what will effectively be a 10-year lease requiring annual payments of perhaps $500,000 per panda. Additional payments will be due if any cubs are born or any panda dies of neglect.