To celebrate Thai Elephant Day on 13 March 2026, the Royal Thai Embassy organized “Thai Elephants in Denmark”: Youth Art Competition 2026 for young artists in Denmark under the age of 18. The theme was to create an artwork inspired by Thai elephants namely Kungrao, Surin, and Mun, at Copenhagen Zoo, and their role in promoting Thai – Danish relations. The competition was an astounding success with many beautiful artworks being submitted. The panel of judges which comprised of H.E. Mrs. Suphanvasa Chotikajan Tang, Ambassador of Thailand to Denmark, Ambassador Jon Thorgaard, Director of Department for Geopolitics, Minitry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, and former Ambassador of Denmark to Thailand, and Ms. Pernille Wendel Mehl, CEO of Copenhagen Zoo, awarded the top three prizes to the young artists at the age of 11, 4, and 15 respectively. The aforementioned prizes included an array of art supplies, entry passes for Copenhagen Zoo, certificates for the winners, and a special guided tour at the Zoo with the Ambassador.

The Ambassador, together with the young artist and their families, the invited guests from the Danish Royal Court, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark and Friends of Thailand, as well as diplomats and the Embassy staff, learned about how the elephants were taken care of at the Elephant House. After the tour was finished, the young artists received prizes from the judges and had their artwork displayed at the Elephant House.

In this occasion, the Ambassador presented Ms. Mehl with a certificate of appreciation from the Embassy to the Zoo and the Elephant House Team for their dedication, commitment, and excellence in the preservation and advanced care for the Thai Elephants since 1962. Moreover, she also presented a custom-designed “Elephant Pants” to the members of the Copenhagen Zoo management, and every zookeeper who was involved in the care of the elephants, acknowledging their good work.

The Royal Thai Embassy would like to thank all the young artists who participated in the competition, the panel of judges, invited guests, and especially Copenhagen Zoo for co-organizing this event.