On Friday, the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre in Lampang collected a final set of specimens from Sak Surin, a Thai elephant repatriated from Sri Lanka early last month.

Sak Surin is due to complete his period of quarantine at the National Elephant Institute, also in Lampang, around next weekend, depending on the results of the latest lab tests.

Mahouts are now training the elephant to get on and off a truck, to prepare him for transport to the Elephant Conservation Centre, which is located opposite to the institute, when the quarantine period ends.

A Thai blessing ceremony will be held on August 13 for the elephant before being moved.

The institute stated that Sak Surin’s fans will be able to meet him once a day at the conservation centre, soon after he settles in.

Sittidet Mahasawangkul, a senior vet, said that Sak Surin is general healthy, always in a good mood and eats constantly.