Elephants have long been important to Thai culture, where they are a symbol of religion, history, royalty, and power. According to Buddhist legend, Queen Maya of Sakya, Lord Buddha’s mother, dreamed that a divine Bodhisattva on a white elephant touched her side. She later became pregnant and since then elephants have had a strong connection to the divine and royalty in Buddhism. As Thailand is a Buddhist society, this is one reason elephants are held in such high esteem (the old kings of Thailand rode around on white elephants). Additionally, elephants were used in the logging industry to help clear trees so there was a practical nature to their importance, too.  So If you get the chance to ride, pet, or even just feed the elephants you should take the opportunity.