Thai Elephants in Costume

What more could you possibly expect from this exotic faraway land - Thailand? Hiking in pristine rainforests in Doi Inthanon Mountain in the top North, drifting your way through coral reefs along with rays and dugongs at Samilan Beach in the down South, eating exotic delicacy - salted deep-fried creepy crawlies at the Northeast or venturing a less-discovered route amid the deep jungle on the back of an elephant in a howdah? How does that sound?

Elephants have been so much loved throughout the history of Thailand that it is regarded as the Symbol of Thailand – not because it being huge and cute but the significant and powerful machine in ancient warfare and logging. In ancient time, elephants roamed through jungles on Thai-Myanmese border freely in a big throng before they were brought into being an important role in Thailand vs. Myanmar ongoing battles as a combat creature.

Possession of white elephant is also believed to represent the prosperity and peace of a kingdom while its death is a great omen of downfall. The prestige of white elephant is intricately rooted from Buddhism doctrine; the mother of Buddha had a dream that a white elephant presented her a lotus before she conceived and gave birth to her son – the Great Buddha.

Things are different today for them since a multitude of elephants have been trained by mahouts for entertainment purpose – dancing to pop-dance music, playing basketball and football and drawing a painting  – apart from towing logs and serving as an living vehicle into some remote areas. At Maesa Elephant Camp in Chiang Mai, you will be entertained by the largest assembly of our big pals in the North of Thailand where elephants, unleashed, are living large by river in the well-reserved area of Maesa.

Foreign Woman on Thai Elephant

Situated amid the thriving forest in Maesa valley, Maesa Elephant Camp also serves as a health care center for elephants with professional veterinarians to provide medical care to ill elephants and first-aid guide to mahouts. Each elephant is closely taken care of by a mahout who feeds, trains, plays and stays with his elephant every day. The Camp is also spearheading a breeding program to increase the number of Thai elephants which is sadly endangered by abuse and mistreatment by mahouts and also natural rarity of pregnancy in elephants.

Only an hour from the Chiang Mai city, the Maesa Elephant Camp is located on Maerim-Samerng Road and close to Maesa Waterfall and Queen Sirikrit Botanic Garden. Elephant showcase and talent shows take place everyday at 8.00 AM, 9.40 AM and 01.30 PM. You are invited to ride on the back of an elephant that will take you through the jungle and across the river. It is a truly amazing and memorable experience that any travelers to Thailand should have a chance to see.

Please see our recommended package for Elephant Camp tour:

1 Day Elephant show, Orchid farm, 3 Waterfalls and Famous Temple

For more information about Maesa Camp: www.maesaelephantcamp.com

Thai Elephant Drawing Painting

Thai Elephant Playing Basketball