Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
WORTH A TRIP
PACHYDERM PARTNERS
Thailand's iconic animal has not fared well in the modern age. After the logging ban, these forest
fellers faced unemployment, exploitation and the near extinction of the mahout tradition. Recently
Thais have begun a homegrown campaign to give the elephants a safe working environment in semi-
wild sanctuaries or ecotourism programs. The following are a few of the country's campaigners:
» Elephant Nature Park MAP GOOGLE MAP ( 0 5381 8754; www.elephantnaturepark.org ; 1 Th
Ratchamankha; 1-/2-day tour 2500/5800B) is run by Khun Lek (Sangduan Chailert), who has won nu-
merous awards for her elephant sanctuary in the Mae Taeng valley, 60km from Chiang Mai. The for-
ested area provides a semi-wild environment for elephants rescued from abusive situations or retired
from a lifetime of work. Visitors wash the elephants and watch the herd but there is no show or riding.
Volunteer opportunities are available. Transportation from Chiang Mai is included in a visit to the
Elephant Nature Park.
» Thai Elephant Conservation Center (TECC; 0 5482 9333; www.thailandelephant.org ; Rte 11;
adult/child 170/110B; elephant bathing 9.45am & 1.15pm, public shows 10am, 11am & 1.30pm),
70km southeast of Chiang Mai, covers the usual elephant encounters (shows, bathing, rides and ma-
hout training) but uses the proceeds from the tourist program to underwrite medical treatment for sick
elephants. The elephant show ( 10am, 11am & 1.30pm) is less of a circus and more of a historical
showing of how elephants were used in the timber industry. Its mahout training program ( 0
5424 7875; from 3500B) is one of Thailand's most popular and runs from one to 10 days. Next door
but not associated, FAE's Elephant Hospital (Friends of the Asian Elephant; 08 1914 6113;
www.elephant-soraida.com ; off Rte 11; admission by donation; 8am-5pm) is a functioning medic-
al facility for injured elephants. There are no guided tours, but devout fans can stop by to make charit-
able donations.
The Thai Elephant Conservation Center and FAE's Elephant Hospital can be reached by any
Lampang-bound bus or sŏrngtă aou (30B to 70B, 40 minutes) from Chiang Mai. Let the driver know
where you are headed and get off at the Km 28 marker.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Chiang Dao
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In a lush, jungle setting and slammed up against the limestone cliffs of a mighty doi , Chi-
ang Dao is a very popular escape from the steaming urban plains of Chiang Mai.
Chiang Dao town isn't much but a dusty crossroads that hosts a colourful Tuesday morn-
ing market ( 7am-noon 1st & 3rd Tue of the month) , when hill tribes come to sell their wares.
 
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