Elephants! They are all over Thailand! Wherever you go in this country, you will probably be within range of riding, visiting or working with these magnificent animals. And by taking part in any of the tourist activities surrounding them, you will also become part of the ongoing elephant controversy. There is constant talk of animals being mistreated and exploited for the sake of tourism. On one hand there are the purists who continue to argue that all animals should be left in their natural surroundings and not be subjected to being on display for the rest of us. On the other hand, there are the millions of tourists who enjoy watching and participating in animal shows around the world. I am going to continue to be apolitical and sit on the fence on this one!
So far, I have visited two elephant camps in the countryside that surrounds Chiangmai; Maetaeng Elephant Camp and, most recently, Maesa Elephant Camp. Suffice it to say that I, personally, did not view any mistreatment in either location. The elephants seemed to be well taken care of and have a great relationship with their mahouts.
Maesa Elephant Camp is located about 25km from the center of Chiangmai and is easily accessible by your own vehicle or a hired driver. If you plan your day right, you can take in other attractions along the same road, including Tiger Kingdom and Mae Sa Waterfalls. The camp is very well laid out and signposted. As soon as you enter the grounds, you are met with a scenic river flowing through the jungle setting. There are rest areas throughout the camp along with a restaurant, souvenir shop and art gallery that displays the elephants’ latest masterpieces.
The most fascinating part about Maesa is the lack of barriers between the tourists and the elephants. Everyone is able to get up close and personal with these huge animals and photo-ops abound. Interacting with the elephants is one of the attractions of visiting Maesa Elephant Camp. It is fun watching the expressions on the faces of visitors of all ages as they interact with the animals throughout the grounds.
The main attraction is the elephant show which takes place three times daily and last about 50 minutes. Here you will see the animals display their talents at football, darts, and Thai massage along with a demonstration of their skills at logging. But the highlight of the show is the elephant artist show, where they paint abstract and realistic pieces while the audience watches. These works are on display and sale in the on-site gallery.
It is also possible to participate in elephant rides at different times during the day. It is recommended that visitors who are interested in elephant riding to call ahead and make a reservation. During peak seasons, it is necessary to reserve at least several days in advance in order not to be disappointed when you arrive.
Maesa Elephant Camp is open daily from 7am – 2:30pm. The shows take place at 8am, 9:40am and 1:30pm
Maesa Elephant Camp
Town Office: 119/9 Thapae Road
Tel: 0 5320 6247, 0 5320 6248
Website: maesaelephantcamp.com, gallerymaesa.com
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