Elephant Park in Thailand

(This post is a bit late, which may be apparent since we are no longer in Thailand. It happened at the end of December during our vacation with Alix, Pete, and family).

There are many options to see elephants in Thailand. Before choosing where to go, the kids and I read articles about why we should not ride elephants and about abuse of them in Thailand. We decided to visit a small Karen village associated with the “most ethical” elephant park near Chiang Mai.

We arrived at the village via a muddy dirt road. It was exciting (read, happy we didn’t slide into a tree).

We were able to see the elephants up close, feed them, and walk with them. We fully appreciate that the elephants don’t actually need our help to eat or to walk.

The lunch was a vegetarian buffet with an excellent khao soi (my favorite northern Thai soup). Ethan tried to entertain the kids after we finished eating. He may be missing the stage.

Logan… preferring to play with cats.

The guides told us one of the elephants had been rescued from a circus, for this reason, he already knew some tricks. In the photo below, the elephant is “kissing” Ethan. Ben also received a “kiss.” Everyone else declined.

Some were brave enough to “help” the elephants take their mud bath. It appeared the elephants knew how to put mud on their bodies without assistance, but the kids all had fun.

The photo above is Alix heading off with the kids to swim in the river with the elephants. I hear it was a blast. But the path was muddy, and our kids are finally old enough that we can send them off to swim with elephants and not worry. Matthew and I enjoyed 5 minutes of peace.