Mahout Biographies - Patti Saiee

Basic Information

Mahout for	Thong Dee
Date of Birth	Unknown date, 1958
Brother	Dongchai
Sisters	Toopuh, Todee, Tingeh
Birthplace	Huay Pakoot

Biography

Patti Saiee, the oldest of the mahouts, has spent most of his life in Huay Pakoot. He never attended school, but rather spent his childhood helping his family in the rice fields. His family has a long history with elephants, owning them for over three centuries. They currently own four elephants (Thong Dee, Boon Mee, and Boon Mee’s two daughters). In 1973, (once Saiee reached the age of 15) his brother, who was a mahout at the time, showed him the ropes of mahoutship. Saiee began as Thong Dee’s mahout and, although he did take a few breaks to be a mahout to other elephants while he worked in camps for about 20 years, he remains Thong Dee’s mahout to this day. Saiee is unmarried, but enjoys the freedom of solitude. He has never left Thailand and does not plan on leaving the village. Saiee describes himself as quiet, shy, yet focused, and in his free time he enjoys spending time with his family and watching TV.

Fun Facts

Dream Job	Rice farmer
Favorite thing about being a mahout	Riding the elephants
Knowledge about medicinal plants	Yes (a lot)

Mahout Biographies - Patti Saiee