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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