Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sukhothai
162
3½
every hr 5am-7pm
Train
Lampang's historic
train station
( 0 5421 7024; Th Phahonyothin)
dates back to
1916 and is a fair hike from most accommodation. Major destinations from Lam-
pang include Bangkok (256B to 1272B, 12 hours, six times daily) and Chiang Mai
(23B to 50B, three hours, six times daily).
Detour:
Thai Elephant Conservation Center
Located in Amphoe Hang Chat, 33km from Lampang, this unique facility
( TECC;
0 5424 7876;
www.thailandelephant.org
;
child/adult incl shuttle bus 40/80B;
elephant bathing 9.45am & 1.15pm, public shows 10am, 11am & 1.30pm)
pro-
motes the role of the Asian elephant in ecotourism, and also provides medical
treatment and care for sick elephants from all over Thailand.
The elephant show at this 122-hectare centre is less touristy and more educa-
tional than most, focusing on how elephants work with logs, as well as the usual
painting of pictures and playing oversized xylophones.
For those keen on delving deeper into pachyderm culture, TECC's
Mahout
Training School
( 0 5424 7875;
www.thailandelephant.org
;
1/2/3/30 days
3500/5800/8500/100,000B)
offers an array of scholarships ranging in duration
from one day to one month, all with the aim of making you a bona-fide
kwahn
cháhng
(elephant caretaker) or mahout.
