Baby elephants, for them to survive in concrete jungles, have to be brutalized as they are separated from their mothers and their natural habitat to withstand the rigors of performing street shows and tricks. When they become too unfit to be entertainers, they and their “mahouts”(trainers) are reduced to begging, a sort of dishonorable dismissal from service.

You can do your share to slow down the involvement of elephants in the tourist trade. It would be somewhat impossible to eradicate elephants posing with tourists (or the other way around), but you can do your share in getting elephants back to where they naturally belong.

Here are Thailand’s top 4 elephant reserves where you can spend time in social interaction with these gentle beasts, or better yet, volunteer to help them nurse back to health.

Chiang Mai

Mae Tang, better known as Elephant Nature Park, prides itself in rehabilitating elephants in their natural setting. Given the naturally mountainous terrain of Northern Thailand, Chiang Mai is well-positioned to provide home to elephants which were recovered from their abusive mahouts.

Lampang

The Thai Elephant Conservation Center, about 90 minutes away from Chiang Mai, is better known for its Elephant Hospital. Unlike Chiang Mai’s reserve, the conservation center here in Lampang focuses more on treating sick animals who have been injured because they stepped on Cambodian landmines or mistreated by owners or mahouts or simply sick.

Surin

About 7 hours drive northeast of Bangkok, Surin, otherwise famous for its spicy cuisine, rural setting and farming traditions, is well on its way in creating an elephant sanctuary. In Surin, the Elephant Nature Foundation aims to repatriate city elephants to their natural setting so they live with the rest of their herds and in effect live elephant lives, instead of doing mushy tricks or begging on the streets. Volunteers in ENF are needed in rehabilitating displaced elephants as tourists are in helping boost conservation funds. Hence, your volunteer experience here can be more hands on as you will be an active participant in taking care of the elephants should you so choose.

Kanchanaburi

The Elephant Conservation Network works in close ties with the Salakpra Wildlife Sanctuary to understand the dynamics of human-elephant conflicts, and more important, to ensure that sustainable natural habitats are preserved for the well-being of elephants. Wanting to take advantage of 5 million yearly tourists to the province, the ECN is slowly warming up to the idea of conservation tourism, with more emphasis on tourism as a tool to promote animal welfare awareness and activism.

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Chiang Mai is the most important cultural and commercial hub of Northern Thailand. It is increasingly becoming urban, but not so that it loses its natural charm which makes it an attractive destination in the first place. Despite pressures to grow as a city to address the need of tourists, Chiang Mai has been able to preserve hundreds of ‘wat’ or Buddhist temples. There are over 300 as of last count, and the oldest ones date back to 13th and 14th centuries.

No Thailand escapade seems complete without getting a photo opportunity with Asian elephants. Chiang Mai has well-managed Elephant Training Centers where visitors can glimpse elephants at work handling timber, so a traveler with affinity for animals can very well have a field day at the elephant’s back.

For the anthropologically curious, Chiang Mai is home to a handful of hill tribes that are as culturally distinct from each other as they are from the rest of Thailand. They are, however, not removed from the tourism fabric that propelled Chiang Mai to world-renown, as they offer accommodation to those who brave jungle trekking through their territories.

The overdose of ‘wats’ and indigenous community integration are just a couple of activities you can look forward to if you plan to visit the tourist mecca of the north. If you want to experience Chiang Mai in its full bloom, literally, you may want to arrange to come on the 1st until 3rd day of February next year to take part in the province’s Flower Festival, the biggest of its kind in Thailand.

As a province enjoying cool season throughout the year except the hot months March, April and May, Chiang Mai is suited to grow orchids, roses, chrysanthemums and gladioli and hundreds of flower varieties that the Flower Festival features larger-than-life floral floats and depictions of stories from ancient scripture, animals, temples and Buddhist idols.

Beyond petals, this northern province is also famous for its Night Bazaar in Sankampaeng where the finest silk, silverware, wood carvings, weaving, lacquer and hand-painted umbrellas are sold from dusk until midnight.

Getting to Chiang Mai is also a breeze. Chiang Mai International Airport receives direct flights from Myanmar, Korea, Burma, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Laos, Singapore and Macau, and local flights from all over Thailand.

Photos by theonegraham, whl.travel and whl.travel

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Chiang Mai, the largest city in the north of Thailand, is surprisingly THE place in Thailand to absorb the most culture. According to Tripadvisor’s Travelers Choice Awards, Chiang Mai is one of the top 25 best destinations in the world! It’s small size and low population of an estimated 160,000, make it intimately easy to live and understand Thai culture compared to the monstrous Bangkok. On top of culture, one can expect beautiful lanna-style temples, great shopping, and peace, believe it or not. Surrounded by mountains, Chiang Mai and its residents define the meaning of relaxed. Many travelers use the city as a gateway for treks through the hills.

Exploring the city is without a doubt easy and enjoyable considering its size, but information on neighborhoods and a map are still needed. The following neighborhoods are where you will probably find yourself one day or more.

• Old city – Surrounded by an ancient moated wall, this area is Chiang Mai’s heart. It is where you can get a glimpse of the past making it a great place to stroll especially with it’s Bohemian charm. Besides several Wat’s, you can find the Chiang Mai City Art and Cultural Center, Three Kings Monument, and the lively Sunday Market.
• Thapae Gate – The entrance to the Old City, Thapae Gate is THE place for outdoor entertainment. Between festivals and Saturday evenings with live music, Thapae Gate is a main attraction and great place to relax with friends. It is also where the Sunday Market begins (continuing into the Old City).
• Night Bazaar – It’s pretty obvious what this neighborhood’s main attraction is. The famous night bazaar is spread out along Chang Klan Road featuring an abundance of clothing, crafts, and diverse foods at amazingly cheap prices. There is also a diverse range of insects to munch on!
• Nimmana Haeminda – Filled with wifi-ed cafes, bars, gift shops, international cuisines, Nimmana Haeminda is designed conveniently for tourists. It’s considered the trendy area of Chiang Mai.
• Suthep – Populated by University students, Suthep is home to Wat Suan Dok and Wat U Mong. It’s the perfect place to see and understand local university life.

Being such a cultural city, there is plenty to see, do, and learn. Check the previous article on Top Five Courses to Take in Chiang Mai to read what you can learn. Otherwise, the following attractions should not be missed.

• Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep – An important and beautiful temple overlooking the city at over 3,000 feet above sea level, this temple and it’s grounds are sure to amaze.
• Elephant Nature Park – For animal lovers, the Elephant Nature Park just outside of Chiang Mai is where you can find rescued elephants in a sanctuary setting. This park will warm your heart.
• Chiang Dao Cave – For a sense of adventure, the cave is a great option since all electricity is lost and a lantern is required to explore. It is popular for its interesting stalactite and stalagmite formations.

In conclusion, not only is Chiang Mai a place for culture, it is a point for nature. A trip to this city is impossible to bore and so possible to relax!

Photos by Mark Lehmkuhler, Yazan Badran and Christian Haugen

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The following are the top five courses to be taken in Chiang Mai, but can be found in other locations around the country.

1) Cooking

Thailand has some of the best cuisine in Asia, and with a bit of help, it can be easily prepared at home. For travelers just passing through the city, day courses are available. From appetizers to desserts, a six course meal can be learned in one day, depending on the school. Day courses cost around $30 to $45USD, with package options if studying more. The number of cooking courses in Chiang Mai is uncountable, but the most known are Chiang Mai Thai Cooking School and Thai Farm Cooking School. Most courses include a recipe book to take home, and of course a meal!

2) Muay Thai

To develop inner awareness and positive aspects of human nature, Muay Thai Sangha is a good option. It is basically Thai kickboxing with a spiritual twist, but still involves intense fighting. The Muay Thai Sangha course can be challenging and requires dedication as it encouraging students to study for a reasonable time.

3) Massage

Learning how to give a Thai Massage may be beneficial to your wallet as it is an easy talent to make money off of. Otherwise, it’s still a fun activity to learn.There are several courses in Chiang Mai that usually last one week, but can also last months. If learning for profit, it’s best to find a certified course. Two recommended schools are Wat Po Thai Traditional School and Old Medicine Hospital Thai Massage School.

4) Meditation

Clearing your mind is something everyone needs to learn how to do. Meditation is not something you have to pay to learn, as courses are donation based, but it is more about the willingness to learn. Almost all courses are intense since they require living the life of a monk. The most challenging of all would probably be at Wat Rampoeng, where you enter a vow a silence for 10 to 26 days, wake up at before the sun rises, and eat only two meals a day. For many, the feeling after the retreat is positively indescribable.

5) Rock Climbing

Thailand is known for having many limestone cliffs that are every rock climber’s dream. Crazy Horse Buttress, only 35 km from Chiang Mai, is Northern Thailand’s best crag offering over 100 unforgettable routes. It’s a great place to learn since there are routes for all levels. Considering that rock climbing is an extreme sport, it’s wise to choose a reputable company, like CMRCA for training. They offer a variety of courses fitted for your level of fitness and comfort with heights.

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By Plane

By far the quickest and easiest way to travel between the two major cities, Chiang Mai International Airport receives around 28 flights per day arriving from Bangkok. Most flights depart from Bangkok’s Suvarmabami airport, but smaller carriers such as Nok Air depart from Don Muang. Thanks to budget airlines, this 1 hour and 10 minute flight is reasonably priced between 900 Baht to 2300 Baht, depending on the day, time, and airline. The following are the best airlines to book for this route:

• AirAsia
• Bangkok Airways
• Nok Air
• Thai Airways

By Train

The train may be the longest commute lasting 11 to 14 hours, but it is also the most comfortable since it is a sleeper train complete with beds. Leaving from Bangkok’s Hualamphong station daily, travelers have many different options, whether it be express or sprinter, 1st class or 2nd class. All information regarding times and prices can be found through the State Railway of Thailand, but it is best to confirm prices with the ticket officer in the station. You can expect to pay anywhere from 250 Baht to 900 Baht, depending on your preference for comfort. It’s best to book in advance for this route.

By Bus
Probably the most popular route, many Thai’s and foreigners choose to travel by bus. It may not be as comfortable as the train but it is more economical with a cheaper and shorter ride lasting 8 to 10 hours. The buses are also a safe and reliable mean of transportation. Most depart from Bangkok’s Mo Chit terminal every hour. Prices range from 400 Baht to 700 Baht depending on what class you choose. It pays to commute in VIP style since the price differences aren’t so extreme. Many travel agencies around Khao San Road sell cheap tickets around 300 Baht, but these buses may lack the comfort promised.

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