In the 19th century; the Asian Elephant held a prominent position in Siam; although they were hunted regularly north of Ayutthaya and the Lao States (present day; Chiang Mai province and Isan). Not only were elephants used as beasts of burden in agriculture and for hauling timber; but they were active in war leading cavalry charges against the enemy. Elephants were frequently employed in the Siamese-Burmese wars of the Middle Ages. Siam's kings kept elephants; especially prized albino elephants; in elaborate stables. An adult Asian Elephant regularly lives to 90 years of age; grows to 2.5 to 3 meters in height and consumes about 100 kg of hay; fruit and vegetables per day. During the reigns of King Mongkut Rama IV (1851鈥?8) and King Chulalongkorn (1868鈥?910); the national flag of Siam was a white elephant on a red background.