zoso

Kathie, I'd love to e mail u off this site

rhkkmk

doubt any bungalows are available for that price, which would be acceptable to a westerner...

Kathie

While I think you can find a bungalow for that price, it will be off the beaten track on an island that is harder to get to. I expect you will have to settle for an inexpensive hotel room if you are going to Krabi.

Cattail

Another enthusiastic nod to the Elephant Nature Park. and yes, book ahead. There are several different experiences to choose from.

Vquest

When travelling to Thailand to see the elephants be sure to visit a sanctuary that allows elephants to live freely. Elephant camps are hell holes for these majestic creatures. Riding elephants is nothing more than abuse. Their spines are not designed to carry weight on their backs. So many are crippled and deformed from being ridden. The plight of the Asian elephant is one of the saddest on this earth. Visit Elephant Nature Park in Chang Mai ...you will not be disappointed!

zoso

Yes,Vquest u r right well said! It's a dirty little secret in Thailand and,Cambodia.All about the money.No food,water,broken backs, chained up,beatings.Ugh! The truth!
Im so happy that Kathie here on Fodors recommended the wonderful
Elephant Nature Park! It's Rescue sanctuary for the abused.Bob Barker u all know him from the Price is Right.Bob,is a big supporter of the Elephant Nature Park.
It really changed my life!
U must book In advance!There is a office in Old city of Chang Mai.

Now,I have to speak out and let people know what goes on at these Riding/Trekking camps.

Thank you again Kathie!

leroyjenks

Thankyou for clearing that up as I was thinking about patara elephant farm as they are rated the best on trip advisor but I was pondering is it cruel to ride them ! Horses are ridden but there bodies have been designed for that I expect . Well I have booked up enp . Thanks for advise

Kathie

Yes, Patara gets high ratings on TA, but people do report seeing gashes from the use of hooks on the elephants. Not everyone think how the elephants are treated is important.

crellston

A thought provoking article on the subject of riding elephants;

http://journals.worldnomads.com/resp...#axzz3Es98PwFg

zoso

Gosh NO Do not Go there! Please. All these Elephants are leased out and, very abused.
Broken backs, starved to make them do what they want.If the tourists stopped going there might be changes.There r no laws now.

Trip advisor is written by people that do not know what goes on behind the Scene.

Ita a dirty little secret in Thailand, Burma,Sri Lanka,Laos, Cambodia.

Vquest

Elephants are not domestic animals like horses and cows. Elephants were not selectively bred to be in close association with humans. The cruel and unusual practice of PHAAJAN inflicted on baby elephants kidnapped from the forest is nothing short of horrific. They are tied, beaten and starved for days so they will be fearful and submit to their human handlers. I implore anyone travelling to the countries using elephants as a tourist attraction, to please stay away. As I mentioned before, seek out the reputable sanctuaries who have rescued elephants from the trekking camps, the begging elephants who frequent the beaches,the ones who are used for painting and entertainment. These are are the elhants who suffer greatly at he mercy of the tourist industry.. I'm seriously considering a trip to Thailand to volunteer my time at the Elephant Nature Park. My name is Victoria. I have done a great deal of research on his subject so please don't hesitate, if you have any questions...❤️��❤️��❤️

zoso

Nice to meet you Victoria and welcome to Fodors.Im very happy to hear there are a few people on this site that are aware of the truth.No laws in these country's.

I've read about the PHAAJAN look it up folks is a practice in Thailand.

leroyjenks

Hi all thanks for all your advice last few months decided to stay at krabi railey phi phi any last
tips on hotels location before i leave

WhoNeedsMaps

We did a huge Asia trip this year and wrote up some stories on our trip, including a destinations page which has a bunch of info on the places we visited.

I would suggest you check them out and use them as a reference to get a bit of an idea on what to do in each country as well as learn from our mistakes haha

Thailand - http://www.whoneedsmaps.com/destinations/thailand/
Vietnam - http://www.whoneedsmaps.com/destinations/vietnam/

One tip that we can give you is rent motorbikes/scooters, they make getting around and doing your own thing so much fun!

Best of luck with the travels, you will have a fantastic time.
Jenn

Vquest

Hi there! If anyone is interested in riding an elephant, please be sure to watch this before you do


it!https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=...MU7SzWXPTt84Cr

Cattail

Thanks Victoria. I think that the majority of people participate in the elephant industry out of ignorance. Many are rightly horrified to learn what happens behind the scenes. Keep speaking up!

Cattail

Leroy is hopefully in Asia right now. Please post a report - Iespecially want to hear about Vietnam, and your take on motor-biking.

leroyjenks

Yes I and my partner had a wonderful time definetly less is more and there was no room to be I'll during the trip which we both wer e .Bangkok was nice sky bar worth a visit. The tour was great visit temples and canal tour with guide . careful of taxi always request meter we realised this after seeing how much guide paid. Chaing mai beutiful wish I had spent more than three days here by taking two days off bike trip 5 day on bike was too long . saw loi kathrong the streets filled with excitement and restaurants and massage fantastic all around.elephant trip good but not much interaction with animals . Vietnam bike ride was so scary at first but you soon got used to it and people pulling out on you if was just us two and guide so we were well looked after and guest stay at babe lake was awesome and felt like part of family one in lan song not so good. Market was awesome people seem to mesmerised by us two walking around people selling unusual stuff we bought a carry bag of tobacco for 40p with rizla. ban gioc waterfall was fantastic definetly worth two day ride to get there. Hanoi was great lots of hustle bustle and again restaurants food was great deep fried soft shell crab with tamirand sauce a must best restaurant cau go, great view and service. Krabi was nice yet walk to beach bit far cheap cheap restaurant i loved . Phi phi was great for party at night and relax at day yet golden hill was not a good location yet we copied a young couple and went partying with them we moved closer to beach after we realised, so many touts trying to get you in just find your own places yourselves most advertise with boards anyway. We done a seven island hoping tour 600bht saw the beach, We spent one day at phuket at kata beach but it rained so did not see it. Then time to go home. Glad I saw all i did but felt rushed at times and weather not great most days. Chiang mai and Hanoi would have been enough and money I spent on flights would have gone a long way for even more luxuries