It’s very sad to know that in the end of this month Loong Naul will retire for his most beloved job as the mahout and he has to leave his beloved friend at the Thai Elephant Conservation Center. I asked Loong Naul properly about three years ago ” When will you retire from this job? ” and the answer is next three years.. It seems the time teases me as it goes by too quick as now it is really three year when he last told me and yesterday was the farewell party for all retired staff at Thai Elephant Conservation Center..
I met Loong Naul this morning to ask him about how long had he been working as as the mahout of the forest industry organization the mother of Thai Elephant Conservation Center and he told me 34 years. It was very hard work as he had to leave his family back home while he was working the very deep forest as logging with the elephant and there were only 4 days to stay with the family. Sadly several years ago his wife was passed away so now he has to stay with his son at his homeland..
With his elephant Loong Naul works as the mahout of Sri Dor Tadang over 20 years as today is the last day to be his elephant as now the secondary mahout was assigned to work with this elephant..
For me Loong Naul is one of the best mahout at TECC as he is very gentle and kind, Naul is very talented mahout as he is the member of mahout music band who play traditional Thai guitar.
Tadang is one of most handsome elephant at TECC, he is tall, huge and strong so he is truly breeder of all female.. Once he is nearly become a dad of the baby elephant of Prathida who gave still-born of her first baby long time ago..
It’s just sad to leave here as the time goes by, and the truth is nothing last forever.. I wish the new mahout of Tadang will be like Naul.
Thank for reading
Supat Sutti
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About Supat Sutti
Best wishes to Naul. I have heard him play many times with the Mahout String Band. I wish him luck and will miss seeing him. Maybe he will visit TECC often.
Thank Lorin for your lovely comments..
I am so excited to meet every one again.. I wish to spend more time with every one again.. By January Kua will be one years and five months, I wish he will be easier to handle and understand what I told him not to do or move or stay still.. In the end of this month he will be in the Nursery..
Thank Lorin.
Supat
Sawadee Ka Supat and Naul! I will miss seeing Naul and will also hope that Naul continues to play with the Mahout String Band when I come and visit…. Can you ask him to make a special appearance?
Big hugs to you all! Jami
Sawadee Krub Jami..
I told Naul yesterday about the possibility to come to TECC when your group are in the mahout training course and he told me that he will come, but I need to let him know or call him in advance.. This is very special for him to meet his old friends again.. The band will be resembled again when the hell freeze over :p
I will try to contact Kham who play left handed string..
Miss you Jemi
Supat
That is GREAT NEWS Supat! I will be needing the Mahout Band THREE times this winter. Once in Dec. and twice in Jan. so I will be happy to see them all again. I am happy to share their music with my friends and to give them work in what they love to do.
Thank you so much.
Jami
I wish I were there I wanted to say thank you and good-bye to Naul.
He took care of me when I was joined three day trekking course with Tantawan at mahout training school about five years ago. Sridor Tadang were there then too.
I would never forget about his memory. No matter where he goes, he’ll always be my beloved senior mahout forever.