- Title: Chiang Mai Zoo mourns panda as Chinese and Thai experts prepare for autopsy
- Date: 19th September 2019
- Summary: STATUE OF CHUANG CHUANG MAN LOOKING AT PANDA STATUE/WHITE AND BLACK CLOTH DRAPED OVER TABLE
- Embargoed: 3rd October 2019 12:43
- Keywords: Thailand Chiang Mai China Panda
- Location: CHIANG MAI, THAILAND
- City: CHIANG MAI, THAILAND
- Country: Thailand
- Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment
- Reuters ID: LVA002AXBN2O7
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: The zoo in Thailand's Chiang Mai was in mourning on Thursday (September 19) as Chinese and Thai experts began the autopsy process on a beloved panda which died suddenly at the weekend.
The death of the 19-year-old Chuang Chuang sparked mourning among Thai fans and an outcry on Chinese social media, where a hashtag seeming to blame Thailand was viewed 250 million times.
The panda pair, on loan from China since 2003, were celebrities in Thailand after Lin Hui gave birth in 2009. Baby pandas are rarely born in captivity and the offspring was eventually returned to China.
"I feel sad and when I saw the area where he used to stay it made me felt even more horrible," said visitor Kanchana Anatasomboon who traveled from Bangkok with her son hoping to see both pandas.
Chinese and Thai officials were also discussing whether Chuang Chuang's mate, Lin Hui - the only remaining panda in Thailand - should be returned to China, a Chinese official said.
(Production: Sakul Kittiwongprom, Prapan Chankaew, Jiraporn Kuhakan) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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