jumbo fun

In honour of Thailand’s National Elephant Day on the 13th of March, we trumpet about the biggest and best elephant activities

Elephant polo

WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHY OLIVER BENJAMIN

Up until 1916, Thailand had the most charming flag on the planet: a white elephant against a red background. But concerned that the rest of the world might not take this emblem seriously, the government redesigned it to more closely resemble those of Western democracies such as France, England and the US, falling back on the common red, white and blue stripes. There’s nothing wrong with this simpler flag, but imagine if the land was still festooned everywhere with the original? What a unique and exotic sight it would be!

Although elephants still contribute to the modern Thai identity, they’re no longer a part of the country’s economy. After logging was outlawed in 1989, the elephants’ principal employment as a beast of burden was made obsolete. With forests still shrinking drastically due to development, the pachyderm is not only out of work, but also losing its habitat. One hundred years ago there were 100,000 elephants in Thailand, today there are just 4,000.

But Thailand’s biggest industry is now tourism, and elephants are finding new roles as national ambassadors. To celebrate their contribution, 13th March is Thai National Elephant Day and various activities will be held in their honour. For those with a soft spot for these gentle giants, here’s a trunkload of ways for you to meet this local hero.

The Golden Triangle (Chiang Saen)

Elephant Polo Tournament
One of the most amazing sporting events in the world, elephant polo is similar to normal horse polo, only in super slow motion. Organisers maintain that the games are as much fun for the elephants as they are for their riders. Skilled players show up from all around the world for a week of lumbering fun, which this year will be held from 31st March to 6th April at Anantara Resort. Free admission.

Bangkok

Erawan “Elephant” Museum
This isn’t just the world’s biggest sculpture of an elephant, it’s also the world’s one and only museum shaped like an elephant. That means if you’re anywhere near Samut Prakan on the outskirts of Bangkok, there’s no way you’ll miss it – it’s 14 storeys tall and as wide as a football field.

An exotic collection of ancient Thai religious objects is housed inside this bronze tribute to the three-headed elephant Erawan, vehicle of the Hindu God Indra. While the oldest artefacts are housed in the pedestal below, a lift inside one of the elephant’s hind legs brings visitors into a surreal Buddhist chapel where the walls follow the rounded contours of the elephant’s belly. Prices: Bht150 (AU$5.40) for adults, Bht50 (AU$1.80) for children.

Pattaya

Elephant Village
Tired of Bangkok’s hubbub? Head south-east to the beach town of Pattaya to discover one of the oldest elephant sanctuaries in Thailand, founded in 1974. The Elephant Village is a small, privately-owned centre run by a former elephant-keeper and is a fun and relaxing place to visit. The 90-minute show entertains while educating audiences about the daily life of an elephant. Their elephant treks also come highly recommended. Prices: Combination tour (elephant trekking, jungle walking, rafting with lunch or dinner): Bht2,000 (AU$71.60); elephant show: Bht500 (AU$17.90); elephant trekking only: Bht1,000 (AU$35.80).

Chiang Mai

The Thai Elephant Conservation Center (TECC)
The TECC is the best friend an elephant can have. Located in Lampang, 90 minutes outside Chiang Mai, its activities and programs have contributed greatly to elephant welfare in Thailand and beyond. Having spearheaded all sorts of projects, ranging from an elephant hospital, CDs of elephants playing musical instruments, and even the training of elephants to paint beautiful impressionistic canvases, there’s no shortage of fun elephant activities to be had here. Tours run throughout the day and one can even stay on the beautiful 122-hectare grounds. Those with time on their hands can consider enrolling in the mahout course, where students learn how to control, train and gain the trust of creatures who outweigh them by a factor of 50. Don’t show up on National Elephant Day, however, as the centre considers this a holiday for elephants. Prices: Elephant show: Bht50 (AU$1.80); full-day elephant riding programme Bht3,500 (AU$125.30); three-day/two-night elephant training program: Bht5,000 (AU$179).

Surin

Surin Elephant Round-Up
It’s a bit out of the way, but the Elephant Round-Up in Surin is the biggest, most boisterous and well-attended elephant event in the country. Held each year in November, the week-long affair boasts every kind of elephant-oriented activity available. Make your reservations early – when a herd of pachyderms come to town, things are bound to get a little packed.

Chiang Mai

Mae Sa Elephant Camp
This picturesque camp just 15km north of Chiang Mai hosts an Elephant Day celebration that features charming and hilarious elephant activities, such as elephants playing football, basketball and even gorging on a colossal all-you-can-eat buffet. It sure beats hauling logs around. This is the place to go on 13th March, as they put on a celebration of truly jumbo proportions. Cheers, big ears! Prices: Elephant show: Bht120 (AU$4.30); elephant trekking: Bht1,200 (AU$42.95) per hour for two persons; three-day/two-night mahout program: Bht18,000 (AU$644.70) for two people.

Phuket

Phuket Fantasea
Disney’s Dumbo has nothing on this enormous, colourful theatrical spectacle of fun and fable. Learn all about the mythical origins of the Thai people while you watch a chorus-line of more than 30 elephants perform a graceful (if a little flat-footed) ballet. Price: Show only: Bht1,500 (AU$53.70); show and dinner: Bht1,900 (AU$68).

Siam Safari Nature Tours
The first elephant treks in Phuket were started by these folks back in 1994, along jungle trails on their property in the hills above Chalong Bay. Now there are 14 camps around this holiday favourite, but by many accounts these guys are still the most reputable, treating their charges with the utmost care. They’ve also garnered several awards from the Thai government for their fervent championing of ecotourism on the island. Price: 45-minute treks are Bht1,290 (AU$46) for adults, Bht900 (AU$32) for children.

For all your travel choices, go to www.jetstar.com

FIND IT:

Elephant Polo Tournament
Anantara Resort, 229 Moo 1, Chiang Saen, Chiang Rai, tel: +66 5378 4084
Erawan “Elephant” Museum
99/9 Moo1, Muang Samut Prakan, Samut Prakan Province, tel: +66 (2) 371 3135
Elephant Village
54/1 Moo 2, Tambol Nong Prue, Pattaya, tel: +66 (38) 249 818
The Thai Elephant Conservation Center
Km 28–29, Lampang, Chiang Mai Rd, Tambon Viengtan, Hangchat District, Lampang tel: +66 (54) 228 108
Surin Elephant Round-Up
Surin Provincial Office tel: 044 512 039
Tourism Authority of Thailand Northeastern Office tel: +66 (44) 213 666
Mae Sa Elephant Camp
119/9 Tapae Rd, Muang District, Chiang Mai, tel: +66 (53) 206 247/248
Phuket Fantasea
99 Moo3 Kamala Beach, Kathu, Phuket, tel: +66 (76) 385 111
Siam Safari Nature Tours
45 Chao Far Rd, Chalong, Phuket, tel: +66 (76) 280 116