Thailand forum

Elephants..

lexylegs

newbie
Posts: 3

Hi everyone

I'm currently trying to arrange my second trip to Thailand for April next year and would like to pick a few expert brains if possible?

Last year I did Bangkok, Phuket (Patong), Koh Samui (Chaweng), and Phi Phi...and although I absolutely LOVED it...I would like this year to try places a bit more 'off the beaten track'.

I adore elephants so would love to go somewhere where you can meet the big guys/bathe them etc...without them having to do any kind of shows/tricks (I got fooled into that last year and didnt like it at all) Could anyone suggest anywhere?

I am going for 2 weeks so won't have long but like to be on the go so am looking to go to a few different 'non-touristy' places.

I love to do things like snorkelling, trekking, sightseing etc...but I'm desperate to learn more about the culture and get an insight by way of experience. Any advice/suggestions you can give will be hugely appreciated!

Thank you :)

xxx

#1 Posted: 3/7/2009 - 00:14
MADMAC

mahout
Posts: 3625

Surin is elephant country, so that's your best bet. But understand that the mahouts are not wealthy people, so the cute tricks and so forth are how they make their money off the considerable investment and upkeep of an elephant.

They are very cool animals, very intelligent... but they can be dangerous. If overheated or overworked, they can get pissed off and kill very easily. but mostly they're cool.

So I guess I would recommend Surin as your best bet.

#2 Posted: 3/7/2009 - 00:39

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Victory in Pattani
swag

adventurer
Posts: 303
Located in:

Private message

Hi lexy a couple of years ago my wife and I spent 3 days at Elephantstay in Ayutthya about 2 hrs nth of Bangkok.While the majority of elephants head into town daily to work i.e. rides etc, this place caters for old retired elephants and of course babies.We had a fantastic time as we were allocated an old female to care for during our stay.This involved feeding,cleaning out the pens and of course riding her down to the river to bathe twice a day.Apart from caring for the old elephants our 3 days gave us an insight into the workings of the mahouts and their families etc.While not cheap a large part of the money goes towards food medicine etc to give these great creatures a great retirement.One of our highlights travelling through s.e.asia.Google them to find more info
regards

swag

#3 Posted: 3/7/2009 - 08:02
BruceMoon

mahout
Posts: 1941
Located in:

lexylegs

If you type in the term elephants into the Search Travelfish box in the grey up the top of this page, you'll get a long list of connected articles. If you type in swin with elephants, you'll get a slightly different list.

There are plenty of opportunities around Thailand (and Laos) where tourists can engage with elephants. Some places allow tourists to ride the elephants in the forest, others offer different options.

I know of only one place where you can be assured of a ride/swim with elephants, and that is in (near) Pai. I made a comment on this at:

http://www.travelfish.org/location/thailand/northern_thailand/mae_hong_son/pai

Another place with elephant/forest walking is Ko Chang.

Hope this helps.

Cheers

#4 Posted: 3/7/2009 - 09:15

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An Australian Veteran globetrotting...
swag

adventurer
Posts: 303
Located in:

Private message

Lexy in reply to post #4

"I know of only one place where you can be assured of a ride/swim with elephants, and that is in (near) Pai. I made a comment on this at:"

I can assure you that riding/swimming/bathing/feeding of retired elephants is certainly avaible at Elephantstay at Ayutthya not sure what Brucemoon means by that comment
regards

#5 Posted: 3/7/2009 - 10:51
BruceMoon

mahout
Posts: 1941
Located in:

swag

I was writing of MY knowledge.

So, lexy, at the request of swag, also look the the comments at:

http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/laos/2168_tiger-trails---elephant-park-experience

I can't determine the price, but this link talks of it being expensive. If spending a day or more with elephants floats your boat, then this looks promising. If you only want to ride/swim with an elephant for a few hours, there will be other opportunities.

Cheers

#6 Posted: 3/7/2009 - 13:37

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An Australian Veteran globetrotting...
somtam2000

admin
mahout
Posts: 5862
Located in:

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We've a brief write-up of the Elephant Stay programme in Ayutthaya here or, you can visit their website here: http://www.elephantstay.com/

#7 Posted: 3/7/2009 - 14:17

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iPhone Apps for Southeast Asia
lexylegs

newbie
Posts: 3

Fantastic!!

Thank you so much for all your replies...so helpful!

I will look in to all your suggestions and let you know how I get on!

Thanks again!

xxx

#8 Posted: 3/7/2009 - 16:24