Footage shows Chuang Chuang the panda who died at a zoo in Chiang Mai yesterday (September 16).

The bear celebrated his 19th birthday earlier this year on August 6 with balloons, presents and a cake made from ice.

But zoo chiefs confirmed today that Chuang Chuang, or Xuang Xuang, had collapsed and died at 4:30 pm following an afternoon snack on his favourite bamboo shoots.

Chiang Mai zoo chief Wutthichai Muangmun said male panda Chuang Chuang was born in 2000 at a panda research and development facility in Wo Long town of Chengdu province in China.

Wutthichai said that vets were investigating why Chuang Chuang died but it could have been from natural causes. The Chinese embassy has also been informed of his death.

Chuang Chuang arrived in Chiang Mai with female panda Lin Hui in October 2003.

The bears were gifts from China to show closer relations between the two countries.

Footage shows Chuang Chuang the panda who died at a zoo in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand, on September 16.

The bear celebrated his 19th birthday earlier this year on August 6 with balloons, presents and a cake made from ice.

But zoo chiefs confirmed today that Chuang Chuang, or Xuang Xuang, had collapsed and died at 4:30 pm following an afternoon snack on his favourite bamboo shoots.

Chiang Mai zoo chief Wutthichai Muangmun said male panda Chuang Chuang was born in 2000 at a panda research and development facility in Wo Long town of Chengdu province in China.

Wutthichai said that vets were investigating why Chuang Chuang died but it could have been from natural causes. The Chinese embassy has also been informed of his death.

Chuang Chuang arrived in Chiang Mai with female panda Lin Hui in October 2003.

The bears were gifts from China to show closer relations between the two countries.