Elephants in Thailand
Before I came to the United States, a former exchange student told me to watch out for some U.S. students asking me strange questions about Thailand. “What kind of questions?” I asked. “Something like ‘Do you ride an elephant to school,’” he said. I thought he was just kidding.
An elephant walking on the street in Bangkok. Credit: ournewoffice.com
Just for a clarification, folks, I do not ride an elephant to school. Yes, we have plenty of elephants in Thailand, but riding them to school is impossible. Especially because I live in Bangkok – a city of 11 million people with the worse traffic jams on earth. Having an elephant walking on the road is illegal. Repeat, illegal. So, if you see something like this (picture on the right), call the police.
Aside from that law, Thailand is actually an elephant-loving country. Elephants are the country’s revered symbol. In old times, elephants fought alongside the kings in battles, which is depicted through a famous Thai animation. We love elephants for their strength and cleverness. We even train elephants to play soccer and paint. We set up a special hospital for elephants. And to prove our fondness of elephants, we design a building after them. Ta da:
Elephant building in Bangkok. Credit: neatorama.com
But to ride an elephant in outside of Bangkok is a perfectly logical choice. Chiang Mai is one of the popular places. But for the purposes of new discovery and unique experience, I suggest you go to Surin. This northeastern province of Thailand is famous for its elephants. Here, you will find Surin’s Elephant Village, where the locals are descendants of the Kuay ethnic group. The Kuay are gifted in capturing, training and taking care of elephants. In Surin, unlike Chiang Mai, elephants are considered friends sharing the same house instead of laborers. As a bonus, Surin provides you with a plethora of ancient Khmer ruins and ethnic diversity you won’t find anywhere else.
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This looks great, your blog is very impressive!
I love this! I’ve always wanted to visit Thailand. I rode on an elephant at Angkor Wat in Cambodia last fall, it was a pretty cool experience. Bumpy, but cool.
Before I studied abroad last fall I probably would have asked questions like “Do you ride an elephant to school?”
Traveling so much just made me realize how naive so many American’s are about cultures outside of our own. I honestly think that studying abroad should be a requirement in college, or even in high school. I learned so much from my experience; about my self and about understanding different cultures and customs.
@Nicole I didn’t know you were once an exchange student! I was once an exchange student with AFS and that was how I came to the States. I agree with everything you said. Coming to the U.S. taught me so many things – most of them I wouldn’t be able to get from classes at home. Not even from classes, from daily events. My horizon has been widened so much. My host dad has once told me that Once your mind has been opened, it’s impossible to close it again. That’s so true!
As someone who’s only lived in Minnesota and Iowa, it’s crazy to think that there are places in the world that have laws against elephants walking in the streets. I didn’t know that the people of Thailand had so much respect for elephants, and I think it’s fascinating that there are buildings designed in the shape of elephants. Your blog is very eye-opening and I look forward to reading more!
@Norah It is sad because most foreigners don’t know that elephants are illegal on the streets of Bangkok. The mahouts would try to sell tourists sugar canes or bananas so the tourists could feed the elephants. That’s how they make money. And that’s why we couldn’t get them out of the city. It really isn’t for our own good, to be honest. Walking on the hot road hurt their feet (the elephants’) and that’s why it’s so inhumane to bring them into the city – any cities, in fact.
I absolutely love the elephant building! Thank you for starting this blog. I love learning about different countries and it is great to get a perspective from someone who has lived there. I agree with Tyler, your blog is impressive.
@Erin again
Thank you for reading! I thought the elephant building would go so well with the theme here. Please let me know if you want to know about anything regarding different countries and I’ll try to find out about it.
Also, what happens in the Elephant building?? Are there just offices in there?
@Erin I think it’s more like a condominium. I’ve looked up its website, and I think you can hold weddings there, too.
I think the best way to prevent elephants being brought into the city like Bangkok is to educate foreign tourists that this kind of practice is illegal. They are not supposed to be walking around in the polluted heat of Bangkok. Those who own these creatures simply exploit them for their own benefit and tourists should not support money making of this kind. There are quite a few places where tourists can enjoy a ride on the back of an elephant, like you said in Surin province or in some northern provinces such as Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai. Alternatively, visitors who are interested in the well being of this lovely creature can visit the Elephant Hospital in Lampang province. In this way people can enjoy and support the animal in the right way.