We are bringing our 8 year old with us to Bangkok in November. Are there places where she can get a good picture of how elephants are treated? And get a ride? Or must we go to CM?
Thanks,
Jerry

BKK has nothing like an elephant park or farm. at the loca lzoo you wont get close to them. CM is a plane ride north.

we were just in pattaya. we have a 6yo. she loved the park. there is a great park and you can feed touch and ride the elephants. they even have the baby elphants out for you to touch. and they also get 2 elephants to lock trunks and lift your child up and you can take a pic.

you might be able to do it in one day but you might be better to stay in pattaya, or jomtien.

google 'pattaya' and menu for attractions.

there is also an elephant park in hua hin which is a much nicer community for a family than is pattaya...the park is small however...

it is illegal to have an elephant in bangkok these days....you do see them occasionally in the tourist areas at nite time...

There a many places to see elephants close to Bangkok, we have visted the Samphran Elephant Ground (an easy 1/2 day trip), you can pat the baby elephants, go on a short 20 minute trek and watch shows etc, many tour desk will be able to book this trip. Or alternately you can see elephants at the Rose Garden, Dusit Zoo or Dreamworld theme park which also offers rides.

Head for Ayuttaya (1 hour north of BKK). You can ride and elephant and see some excellent Thai temples. You can even arrange a tour where you take a bus there, then take a boat back.

Thank you all so much.

Jerry

Is Ayuttaya still the best place to go near BKK to ride elephants? I would prefer not to do it in a theme park, but more in a natural environment, but don't have time to fly north during my trip.

Thanks!

Any place to ride elephants close to Bangkok will be closer to the theme park than natural environment. You might want to wait to ride elephants until your next trip.

If a theme park is the only way, I'd rather do that now, than nothing at all. I'll still do it again when I'm back there again, but it won't be for a while.

Out of the options in and near Bangkok, which would you say are best?

Try Safari World and the Rose Garden. Both are on the outskirt of Bangkok and they will have elephants as well as other animals.