Cattail

I can vouch for The Elephant Nature Park north of Chiang Mai, but that's it. Lek, the founder, is very upfront that her dream is for elephants to roam free again, but realizes that's not possible in the near future for so many reasons. Her goal is to provide a sanctuary where rescued elephants can be as free as possible, and to educate their mahouts to use kindness rather than physical punishment.

khunwilko

It's not really a question of "roaming free" it is a question of humane treatment for the existing population of "retired" working elephants.
One has to question WHY baby elephants are there in the first place and and what circumstances they got there - by breeding from stock, which is questionable or capture in the wild which is unconscionable

Cattail

khun, I'm quite sure that ENP never captures wild elephants. That would indeed be unconscionable. Lek, the founder, is under frequent attack by people who would like to see the park's elephants captured or the land that the organization has reseeded logged. It's a dangerous, stressful position, and I don't see what she has to gain monetarily by doing what she does.

The babies were born at ENC. I see your point about whether it's a good thing for existing elephants to breed in parks. I don't have an answer.

khunwilko

I'm speaking in general about breeding elephants especially in respect to any elephant tourist attraction - one obviously understands that they are a "draw" but they will grow up and live for decades and this is in a country that claims not to have the resources to deal with the current captive population.

there is also the situation if confronted with a smuggled baby elephant, what to do - look after it or pass it over.
in many countries elephants are electronically tagged (as well as other animals and pets) as far as I'm aware there is no such program in Thailand.

Cattail

khun, agreed. ):

lenlu

We will probably pass on the elephants. I've seen them in Africa in the wild so I don't need to ride one.

So many of you said you preferred Angkor Wat over Chiang Mai. The issue is that I don't think we'll have the time to do both (Chiang Mai or Rai or Angkor Wat. Any pros/cons you care to share? We have 14 days including travel.

Also, I see we may need typhoid and Japanese Encephalitis vaccine as well as Malaria pills. Did you guys do this? My only pause would be for my kids (11, 12). I have had the malaria and typhoid for East Africa so I'm not terribly worried for the adults.

Kathie

JE is certainly not needed. Read the cdc.gov pages - suggested only if you are spending 6 weeks or more in a rural farming area.

Typhoid vaccine is a good idea for any tropical trip... like Hep A (I assume you will all get that vaccine) it is food and water-borne.

You will only need antimalarials (malarone is the one recommended) if you are going to remote temples at Angkor or if you are staying for a while in the Golden Triangle area of Thailand. Of course, check with your own physician about vaccines and antimalarials.

I'd gladly skip both Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai to visit Angkor (truly one of the wonders of the world) but consider the interests of yourself and your family.

Do read about Angkor. My recommendation is Dawn Rooney's book, Angkor: A Guide to Cambodia's Wondrous Temples. It takes 3 full days just to see the major temples (that means 4 nights). We spent a week and would have enjoyed even more time there.

lenlu

Thank you Kathie, I'll look on Amazon tonight for the book. I know I need more time. Shoot...but I'm happy to hear you agree about seeing Angkor. Do you suggest we take the train from BKK?

Kathie

No, Overland will take up a whole day. (train to the border, walk across then taxi to Siem Reap) Fly - Bangkok Air - Read about their Discovery Pass, as it may save you some money on airfares.