Young Mahout Shares Her Love for Playful Elephant Phueang
Young mahout Anutida Kaemsuk discovered her passion caring for Phueang, a playful 4-year-old bull elephant in Surin, after finding unexpected purpose in the role once thought unsuitable for women. Through daily care and social media content
Nineteen-year-old mahout Anutida Kaemsuk shares her journey caring for Phueang, a 4-year-old bull elephant in Surin province. She explains that she never imagined becoming a mahout, especially as a woman, but after finishing school with no clear direction, she began helping her father care for the young elephant—bathing him, feeding him, and spending every day with him until she realized this was her true passion.
Anutida describes her relationship with Phueang as a family bond rather than a pet-owner dynamic. She sees Phueang as a family member and finds happiness watching him grow and thrive. The young elephant exhibits a personality much like a mischievous 4-year-old child, remembering when he receives fruit and playfully approaching Anutida seeking treats. His endearing, silly behavior brings her a smile every day.
Her daily duties begin early, cleaning up after Phueang and his sleeping area, then bathing him before preparing for live-stream content. In the afternoons, she takes him for walks and sometimes films clips for social media, though she never pushes him if he is tired. Most of her work takes place outdoors, so she protects herself with sunscreen, sun shirts, and hats, but prioritizes Phueang's care above her own skin health.
Anutida expresses her greatest pride in doing work she loves while being surrounded by what she loves. Through her channel, she hopes to showcase the gentleness, brightness, and intelligence of Thai elephants, encouraging conservation and deeper understanding of both the animals and the mahouts who care for them. She is grateful for every comment praising Phueang's cuteness and intelligence, as it motivates her to continue sharing the joy of being a mahout.
