Thai Elephant Conservation Center — Attraction in Lampang Province

I visited this Elephant Conversation Centre specifically to see Sak Surin (= Muthu Raja, the mistreated elephant in Sri Lanka). Although this elephant (with other care needed elephants) is still in the animal hospital, it was such a pleasure to see that Sak Surin is recovering well and very happy and feeling comfortable with his new environment. This elephant is looked after and monitored 24/7 by at least a dozen Vets and helpers. The mahouts (I saw at least 3 of them) took care of Sak Surin very well. They are very kind a gentle to Sak Surin. It looks like the whole attention, also from public, is making Sak Surin happy and making the recovery process quick. I was keen to know why the elephants (not the sick/care needed ones who are at a different location) are kept under chains attached to their legs outside, under trees. I was told that these elephants who take part in various activities are kept under control so that they can attend to their duties/activities during the daytime and in the evening (once no more visitors are in the area), most of them are free to walk in the jungle probably with mahouts and within a limited area. This Elephant Conversation Centre is a kind of a park-like environment which is a great place for families to enjoy and take part in various elephant activities. There are buses (kind of) providing transport to various locations (included in the entry ticket and the ticket price is very reasonable). There is also a restaurant, and the food was good at a reasonable price. Obviously, there are multiple souvenir shops and some small coffee shops (I didn't try coffee at any of them so can't say how good they are). This Elephant Conversation Centre is doing a great job by looking after not only Sak Surin but also lots of other elephants who require medical...

Our family really enjoyed our 2 day homestay at the Thai Elephant Conservation Center. We had the opportunity to spend an extended period of time with our own elephant and their mahout, including riding them in a summer rain storm into the jungle for the night, bathing them, and practicing/training for their daily elephant show. In many ways it reminded me of taking horseback riding lessons or a dog agility training course. Lots of consistent repetition and reward. Our host, Mat, was very attentive and friendly and made sure we had everything we needed. She was also an excellent photographer and captured some excellent photos that we have already reviewed many, many times. The food was excellent. The homestay quarters seemed a little like the Thai version of summer camp cabins, though the cots were exceptionally hard! Everyone was very professional and the experience was so much more than just going to a show and watching an elephant perform tricks or taking a quick ride in saddle on an elephant. We highly recommend this experience over some of the other day trips where you get to “hug and elephant” or simply be near them. By working with them (practicing mounts and dismounts, asking them to retrieve something for you, and riding them into the jungle and back) you get to know the elephants, their personalities, their abilities, etc. We...

I was really glad to be able to go to this government-run sanctuary and bring my group there. Although it may not be as good as Elephant Nature Park, it is MUCH cheaper (B225) than ENP and much better than some of the commercial elephant camps. We took a songtiow (red truck) from Chiang Mai for a very reasonable price.

The mahouts have bullhooks, but we didn't see any of them use them in a bad way. The elephants do tricks and are ridden, which some people oppose, but the treatment of the elephants seemed good and loving, despite what the elephants may have gone through in the past.

We loved watching the elephants bathe and play in the water and also enjoyed going to the nursery and hospital. At the nursery, we all fell in love with baby elephant Sikham. We also enjoyed feeding the elephants and stroking their trunks.

There is also a museum worth checking out.

It is always a humbling honor and an enjoyable learning experience to be in the presence of and to interact with amazing elephants, so I am especially grateful for...