Hmong Nong Hoi Village and Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden
TOUR CODE : NMQ
Half an hour north of Chiang Mai city,
this elephant camp located in a pleasant forested valley
provides a dermonstration of the skill, intelligence,
good humor and strength of the working elephants. Continue
to visit Hmong
Nong Hoi Mai hilltribe village and The Royal Project.
On the way back visit botanical garden and orchid farm.
Elephant Camps and Shows
As the national animal of Thailand, the elephant has
a very special place in Thai lore. In fact, Thailand
has been associated with elephants for hundreds of years.
The national flag was previously a white elephant on
a red background and elephants - in particular white
ones, were an essential part of royal panoply. However,
unlike African elephants, Asian elephants can easily
be tamed. In the past, not only were they used for ceremonial
purposes, but they were also used in warfare as battering
rams, tanks, fighting platforms and as a general source
of terror. Elephants were also used to transport people
and goods during the 19th and early 20th centuries and
were used extensively in the teak industry.
Elephants have always been part of the culture and way
of life in Chiang Mai also. The first time a Thai king
ever visited Chiang Mai was in 1927 and he rode into
the city in a grand parade of eighty-four elephants
that included four consular elephants belonging to King
George V. On that occasion His Majesty was presented
with a baby white elephant that had recently been born
in a teak logging camp.
Unfortunately, there are very few elephants left in
the wild anymore and their very existence is thought
to be in considerable danger. Nowadays, elephants are
mainly used as tourist attractions in camps and shows
up and down the country.
Mae Sa Elephant Camp
There are several such elephant camps and shows in Chiang
Mai Province, the most memorable being the Mae Sa Elephant
Camp near Chiang Dow. The camp is located at km 10 on
the Mae Rim to Samoeng road about 30 km north of the
provincial capital. Each morning from 9.30 am until
11.00 am trained elephants demonstrate their formidable
and highly valued forestry skills. A jungle tour on
elephant back, lasting more than two hours through adjacent
forests, is offered after the show.
Pong Yaeng Elephant Camp
Elephants at work can also be seen at the Pong Yaeng
Elephant Centre at km 1.9 on the same route. Here elephants
show their skills for the benefit of tourists, who may
also ride them.
Taeng Doa Elephant Camp
This riverside enclave camp is located at km 56 on Highway
107 and features daily shows from 9.00 am of elephants
at work, pushing and hauling logs through the forest.
It also offers elephant rides and opportunities for
river-rafting through largely pristine and tranquil
forests, or jungle treks to neighbouring hilltribe settlements.
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