Trip Snapshot

Thailand's national animal is the Asian Elephant. Revered by many in the Land of Smiles, the elephant symbolises strength, power, and togetherness. For thousands of years, elephants played a large part in the history of the Siamese empire, and then the Thai empire. Originally used as a mode of transport, and machinery of sorts, in battles with invading neighbours; the larger the elephant, the more power your army portrayed. Moving forwards thousands of years the elephant was used for heavy, burdensome labor for farming; dragging ploughs, or removing fallen trees for logging. Fortunately, in 1984 the use of elephants in this way was outlawed. However, this meant that the thousands of elephants that had become 'domesticated' were left unemployed and their owners (known as mahouts) struggled to feed both the elephants and their families. Many elephants were sent back to the wild where they quickly perished due to having lost their foraging and social skills. Sadly, many were then used as entertainment for visiting tourists, being forced into performing tricks or carrying heavy passengers on jungle treks. Some work as many as 12 hours per day with little or no breaks. These inhumane shows still continue to this day. However, there were some magnanimous camps and sanctuaries that rescued these abandoned elephants. They offer them a safe place to live out their lives in more natural surroundings where they will receive regular health checks, a healthy diet, and are no longer forced to perform tricks and shows for tourists. These are the sanctuaries that we work with. Those that put the welfare of the elephants ahead of the money. Money is required to offer care for the elephants. To generate funds for the camps, some camps offer ethical experiences, without any riding, or any tricks in return for payment so they have a sustainable income to continue the care the elephants need!