goalis7continents

It seems as though there are a few different 'elephant camps' in the Chiang Mai area. Does anyone recommend one or the other? Do you think they are all about the same?
Thanks so much!

MichaelBKK

There are several camps close to Chiang Mai that are purely commercial ventures, designed to extract money from tourists. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but it does turn some people off. About an hour from Chiang Mai, in Lampang province, is the Thai Elephant Conservation Center, a government sponsord program that is designed to give you the 'real' mmahout experience rather than just a show and a ride.

The question is, what are you looking for? A show and a ride, or the chance to work up close and personal with elephants?

goalis7continents

Thanks Michael - Yes, I want to get close & personal - I do not want a show - I can go to a circus for that

Kathie

Then you want the TECC at Lampang.

filmwill

or try the Elephant Nature Park in Mae Rim

laurie_ann

The website for the TECC is www.changthai.com. We did the three day two night mahout stay a few years ago and it was the highlight of our Thailand trip. Nothing like learning to ride on a bare elephant head!

Passepartout56

You don't say when you are travelling but 13th March is National Elephant Day in Thailand. Have a look at www.chiangmaichimes.com which lists all the various camps and what they have to offer etc. It is very up to date.

chiangmaichimes

The number of elephants in Thailand is falling rapidly due to the new strict Thai laws on logging and the high cost of upkeep. The elephant camps around Chiang Mai are all concerned with conservation and indeed without them the plight of elephants would be much worse. The camps have different ideas about funding their work. Some put on a 1 hour show once or twice a day and also offer elephant rides. Whilst this may seem commercial it should not mask the real purpose of these camps.
There are some other camps, one of which has been mentioned already in Lampang but nearer to Chiang Mai are 2 other camps with a different approach. The Patara Elephant Farm, where in effect you become the owner of an elephant for a day or more and learn about elephant healthcare etc. The other camp is the Elephant Nature Camp. These 2 camps are on my website which Passepartout kindly mentioned. Please note that these 2 camps do not admit the casual visitor. You must book with them in advance for reasons of safety and animal welfare. Also, the entry cost is much much higher but you will be able to "get close" to elephants in a natural surrounding without the obvious commercial entertainment.

4bams

we did the 2 day 1 night mahout camp this xmas time at the TECC and loved it. please be aware that the accommodation is very basic. we felt that the 2 day was enough, but loved every minute of it. getting up at dawn to walk through the forest to find the elephant that we had put to bed the night before, and then riding back through the mist to the camp...wonderful. my teenage kids had a blast. only 10 people stay overnight at a time- it is very intimate. the animals are divine

BostonGal

I just returned from my southeast asia trip (trip report coming when I am actually awake and not falling through the days like a zombie), and I have to absolutely rave about Patara Elephant Farm. What an amazing experience! Not a show AT ALL, we were elephant trainers/owners for the day and I couldn't have asked for anything more meaningful! I tried contacting TECC for months prior to the trip but never heard back from them. I honestly can't imagine any place being better than Patara.

itsmesophia

BostonGal-i am on my way to bangkok in about a week! i briefly read your report and am fasinated by your praise about Patara Elephant Farm. Can you tell me more? We do want to experience riding elephants and/or tigers but dont have a full day to do so. Is this farm far from central bangkok? our itinerary is already pretty full but i'd love to spare a few hours to enjoy the animials.

Thanks!!

Kathie

it'sme, the elephant camp is near Chiang Mai, not Bangkok.

I'm sure I must misunderstand the rest of your comment - you want to ride tigers???

Tangata

There is an Elephant camp near Pattaya; I have no idea how good it is.

I only know of two locations in Thailand where you can touch tigers. One is at Kanchanaburi and is a full day excursion from Bangkok, the other is in Chiang Mai. There may well be others. I doubt if anyone will let you ride a tiger. Least of all the tiger!

There was a young lady from Niger,
who went for a ride on a tiger.
They returned from the ride
with the lady inside,
and the smile on the face of the tiger

kawh

we are going this summer, so have not been yet... but a friend highly recommends "elephant nature park" which rescues elephants and does lots of conservation work. you can do a 1 day visit (they pick up in chiang mai) or a several day visit/volunteer. i saw tons of her pictures and they were amazing.... went in the river with the elephants and such. i'll report in when we get back after the summer.
kawh

PinotNoir

I've been to Thailand a half dozen times and the most amazing thing I've ever seen there was at Maesa Elephant Camp above Chiang Mai about two years ago. Yes, it's touristy but it is an amazing show. The elephants paint pictures. You can buy the artwork, bring it home and have it framed. Your friends will be amazed that an elephant painted it. It's not as if they're Gil Stuart or Norman Rockwell. Instead, they're more like Monet or Van Gogh.

One can really tell that the elephants are happy at what they are doing. They also do all of the other elephant things but the picture painting is by far the most amazing.