The importance of the white elephant ( chang samkhan)
in Thailand derivers from a 2,500 year old tale.
Queen Maya, once barren, became pregnant with the future Buddha after dreaming of a white elephant entering her womb.
Ever since the 13th century, when King Ramkamhaeng gave the animal great prestige,
the reigning monarch's importance has been judged in part according to the number of white elephants he owns. Indeed,
the white elephant's status as a national icon was symbolized by its presence on the Siamese flag until 1917. The origin of the phrase " white elephant",
meaning a large, useless investment, lies in the Thai tradition according to which all white elephant must belong to the king.
They cannot be used for work and, therefore, have to be cared for at huge expense.
Though refered to as white, the elephants are not fully albino.
But tradition states that seven parts of their body- the eyes, palate, nails, tail hair, skin, hairs, and testicles-must be close to white.
