We are going to BKK and Phuket (as everyone probably knows by now ), and are hoping to experience an elephant ride at some point during out trip. As we aren't going to the North/Chiang Mai area at all, do we have any options? Thanks all!

There is elephant trekking on Phuket. Here is something I found with google a second ago: http://phuketmagazine.com/html/Thing...20Trekking.htm

Maybe some of the Fodorites can give you some specific recommendations.

The one elephant ride I did in Phuket was extremely short and disappointing and nothing compared to the actual 3 hour trek I took on elephants in Chiang Mai years ago. Unless others can recco a specific operator in Phuket with a real trek through jungel paths, I would give it a miss. I think most of them are less than half an hour and consist of going around a pretty well-worn path in open ares and maybe a tiny bit of jungle. Very touristy as well. Elephants were not used in Phuket as they were (and still are) used as working animals in northern Thailand, they are strictly for tourists, so you get what you pay for.

YOu might have some options outside Bangkok, but again I think this could be quite canned and touristy and not really a trek. You might want to spend your money on another experience.

i agree with cicerone...i went on a "trek" better described as a "ride" a while ago and the business was well run, friendly and overall, i feel the business provided what was promised. however, it was kind of sad...the path was well worn, many power lines, even some rubbish and discarded building materials. the "lake" was a man-made looking pit.

if it's important to you, query a trusted source (ie, not the driver or tour operator). IMO, the ride will not be a very good experience if it is in surroundings that are sad.

I was in Ko Samui and booked an Elephant Ride from our hotel for only a half hour. It was fun, I did want to ride on an Elephant and wasn't going to northern Thailand for real trekking so this was my only option. It is described more as a photo op with elephant which is accurate. The paths were well worn, but it was in the jungle so I didn't see any trash or power lines. We purchased some bananas for the elephant afterwards (another photo op) but that was fun too. I can't find the post, but someone on fodors had recommended only doing the 1/2 hour ride since riding on the back of the elephant does get tiring after awhile. For us, the 1/2 hour ride was enough, but it was fun to do.

I did something similar to what Carl is talking about, but on Phuket. It was on a hillside on the way to Patong from Kata.

The ride was about 30 minutes. The seat is a very hard board. I was actually glad I had not booked a longer ride as it was not very comfortable... but I can say that I've ridden an elephant. And my little first-grade students loved the photos of me!! It was worth the little bit of time it took. We also fed the elephants some bananas. I looked very frightened... LOL

Carol

hmm, well as we will not be going up north, we will have to opt for the 30mn Phuket option. But yes, would like to have jungle like surroundings and not garbage filled trails so if anyone knows of a specific tour, let me know. Carol, did you enjoy it/how was the trail. If so, maybe you can pass along where you picked up the tour/name (if you remember)? thx all!

elephants are uncomfortable to ride on and in our mind it is a "been there, done that" exericse....i would much rather touch them, feed them and watch them bath.....

would even like to see them in the zoo....ride was uncomfortable and not memorable...

Are there any elephant sanctuaries reachable from Bangkok (by car/day trip,etc.). I'd heard mention of Tiger Temple as well, but not sure if this is something to do with Northern Thailand.

Jacqui, for Phuket try this, the day tour 4 in 1 tour with Siam Safari might be what you are after:

http://www.siamsafari.com/tours/fromphuket.html

There is a day tour at the Elephant refuge in Hua hin, including washing, feeding the elephants plus a ride, that operates from Hua Hin (2.5 hrs south of BKK ) I 'guess' it might be done from Bangkok too but don't know where from:

http://www.travel-huahin.com/tours/elephant_center.htm

From Phuket there is also the 1 day Jungle safari to Khao Sok that includes river canoe and Elephant trek in the jungle around Khao Sok

same link as the Siam Safari one above, this is probably what you are thinking of.

thanks james A..you're a great help!