Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
HELPING AN OLD FRIEND
Elephants helped Thailand win wars, build cities and transport kings. However, today these animals are the ones
needing help, as their natural habitat has been slashed back and they are reduced to begging for food in the street.
With only 4000 domestic and wild elephants remaining in Thailand, they need all the assistance they can get.
The
Elephant Stay
( 08 0668 7727;
www.elephantstay.com
)
in Ayuthaya does its part by running a hugely
successful breeding program and providing brief tourist rides around the ruins (200B to 500B). This nonprofit or-
ganisation protects elephants by buying sick or abused animals, including bulls that have killed villagers.
Laithongrien Meepan opened the centre in 1996 after buying his daughter an elephant as a present. Australians
Michelle Reedy, a former zoo keeper, and Ewa Nakiewicz run an Elephant Stay program (12,000B for three days,
two nights minimum) where visitors learn how to ride, bathe and earn the trust of the animals.
Paying for a pachyderm is not cheap, as they can munch their way through 150kg of food a day, so the taxi
rides and Elephant Stay help cover costs. In turn, some elephants help earn their keep by turning their trunks to
art, appearing in movies such as Oliver Stone's
Alexander
and even providing dung, which is made into paper,
bookmarks and photo albums. Flooding in 2011 badly damaged the site but it is now fully operational again.
The site is not designed for walk-in tourists; but those who spend time living with the elephants usually come
away with a new-found admiration for Thailand's national animal.
Sleeping
Backpackers head for Soi 2, Th Naresuan, where there is a handful of guesthouses. Along
the river, an increasing number of quality midrange options are appearing. Look for sub-
stantial discounts during the low season (April to November).
Baan Lotus Guest House
GUESTHOUSE
$
( 0 3525 1988; 20 Th Pamaphrao; s 200B, d 450-600B; )
The gorgeous, green grounds sur-
rounding this converted teak schoolhouse make staying here a treat. Staff are as charm-
ingly old-school as the building itself.
PU Inn Ubonpon
GUESTHOUSE
$
(
0 3525 1213;
www.puguesthouse.com
;
20/1 Soi Thaw Kaw Saw; s 200-300B, d 400-900B, tr 700B;
)
Knowledgeable staff and neat, if not spectacular, rooms have made this spot so popular
they had to open a sister hotel right opposite. Some staff speak Japanese.
Grandparent's Home
GUESTHOUSE
$
