A day out at Elephant's World.

You may have seen a recent thread about an Englishman who played music to elephants. It caught my attention and I decided to go and see for myself.
My day started at 9am, when I was picked up at the main Train station in Kanchanaburi.
After a 30-40 minute drive, we arrived at Elephant's World way out in the countryside.
They currently look after 10 elephants, 3 male, 7 female, of varying ages. Most have been rescued from tourist areas where they were forced to give rides or beg for food.
The whole place is geared towards caring for the elephants. As a volunteer/visitor, you are invited to help with the day to day duties required to help keep these elephants in a safe and healthy environment.
It is not hard work, with visitors and staff helping each other in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Duties can typically include: preparing food,[sticky rice] cutting sugar cane, planting seeds, healthcare and the best bit, washing the elephants in the river.

I had the pleasure of meeting Paul, the above mentioned gentleman, and I can honestly say he is not in the slightest bit mad, as some suggested in their replies to his thread. He is simply trying to help promote this place so others can experience the opportunity to spend some time learning about, and caring for, the worlds largest land mammals. If you want an unusual day out with the family, I can highly recommend Elephant's World. Photos will be posted soon.

If you want to post negative comments, it won't bother me in the slightest [nor did it bother Paul.] If you want any further information, PM me. Thanks for reading.https://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u.../thumb_111.JPGhttps://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u.../thumb_036.JPGhttps://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u.../thumb_035.JPGhttps://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u.../thumb_078.JPGhttps://teakdoor.com/Gallery/albums/u.../thumb_052.JPG

The Thai Government really should do more to at least publicize the plight of beggar elephants in tourist areas and how they suffer. I think many tourists give them money without bad intentions and without realizing they are supporting a form of animal cruelty in the long run. I admit I was a little slow to figure that out when I came here.

Not exactly a big job for the Government, a politely written request letter to all airlines, travel book publishers and travel websites requesting they mention the cruelty aspect and to ask people to refrain from donating should help a lot since most probably would voluntarily comply.
They do seem to have gotten them out of Bangkok.

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Originally Posted by BobR

The Thai Government really should do more to at least publicize the plight of beggar elephants in tourist areas and how they suffer. I think many tourists give them money without bad intentions and without realizing they are supporting a form of animal cruelty in the long run. I admit I was a little slow to figure that out when I came here.

Not exactly a big job for the Government, a politely written request letter to all airlines, travel book publishers and travel websites requesting they mention the cruelty aspect and to ask people to refrain from donating should help a lot since most probably would voluntarily comply.
They do seem to have gotten them out of Bangkok.

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So true.
Some of the elephants, who used to beg on the streets of Bangkok, were rescued by Elephant's World.
Education for all, Westerners and Thais, is the key.
If everyone learns that the elephants are suffering serious health issues while being forced to walk around city streets all day, maybe they will avoid encouraging this practice. One of the elephants was hit by a car, [rear leg.] It now spends most of the time standing on 3 legs, putting increased strain on the remaining rear leg.
If tourist want a photo with these animals, go to where they are happiest, their natural habitat.

Cheers Greyman,

I will put this in my to do list

Thanks for this thread, Greyman. I really want to make it there the next time we're in Thailand. Just one thing that kind of bothered me. You said that they eat sticky rice and sugar cane. These aren't natural foods for elephants. Does the sanctuary grow or bring in fruit and plants for them to eat too?

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Originally Posted by natalie8

Thanks for this thread, Greyman. I really want to make it there the next time we're in Thailand. Just one thing that kind of bothered me. You said that they eat sticky rice and sugar cane. These aren't natural foods for elephants. Does the sanctuary grow or bring in fruit and plants for them to eat too?

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Thanks for your question.
Yes.
They grow what they can and bring in the rest. The elephants eat a diet chosen by the Director, who is also the Head Veterinary Surgeon for Kanchanaburi District. The sticky-rice is for the older elephants who have lost their teeth. They also receive vitamins and medicine placed inside the balls. Elephants with their own teeth eat the usual bananas and other fruit which is grow on site or brought in.

Let me stress, Elephant's World is NOT a tourist trap! It is a caring organisation who's aim is to protect these magnificent animals by providing a safe environment for the elephants and visitors alike. I hope this answer your question.

Thanks again, Greyman. Now that I know it's not a tourist trap and that it's seemingly well run, I'll definitely make it a point to go there next time I'm in BKK.

Any chance of a map to the location, sounds like a good place to visit with the family?

Cheers. I've friends out next month and will probably rent a car from Kanchanaburi for a few days. Will put this on the list of places to go.

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Originally Posted by Kurgen

Any chance of a map to the location, sounds like a good place to visit with the family?

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If you call them, they can pick you up in a small, new truck.
They also have a website and Facebook page with all the details.

www.elephantsworld.org

Thanks to all who read my thread.

Looks interesting ,I'm all for these kind of places that look after animals, and people like you helping advertising them ,well done
.
It's a shame Paul announced he was not going to post at Teakdoor anymore, in the thread you mention, as we had questions to ask him about the Elephants.

Thanks for giving us permission to post negative comments about your thread.
:)

I notice this off the Website hasn't been mentioned yet

How Much will it Cost?

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Volunteers stay with us a fixed time of 4 weeks.

You pay food and accommodation - 300 baht a day. On arrival at Elephant’s World, you pay 8400 baht for the month.
Internet use 400 baht per month.

We provide information for your visa if necessary.

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What about information on getting out of a Thai Jail, when found to be grafting without a work permit ? :)

I love elephants as much as the next guy, but paying 18,000 baht a month ?

An Elephant eats 16 hours a day.

That's a lot of shit in a month to clean up.

:)

These are the prices for visiting

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Prices
1 day at Elephant’s World 1500 baht per person for non-Thai visitors. This includes one lunch, drinking water and taxi from and back to Kanchanaburi. Thai Nationals 500 baht for activities.

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The people on here love the 2 tier policy

Luxury Accomodation
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https://teakdoor.com/images/smilies1/You_Rock_Emoticon.gif
1 night stay

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2 days - one night
Drinking water, 1 breakfast, 2 lunch, 1 dinner, accommodation (cottage) and taxi return to Kanchanaburi.

Adult 3400 baht
Child (5-12) 2500 baht
Child ( 4) free

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2 nights

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3 days - two nights
Drinking water, 2 breakfast, 3 lunch, 2 dinner, accommodation and taxi return to Kanchanaburi.

Adult 5300 baht
Child (5-12) 4500 baht
Child (4) free

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1 night stay, 2 adults and a child adds up to 9300 baht !!!

We're going the zoo :)

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Originally Posted by blue

Looks interesting ,I'm all for these kind of places that look after animals, and people like you helping advertising them ,well done
.
It's a shame Paul announced he was not going to post at Teakdoor anymore, in the thread you mention, as we had questions to ask him about the Elephants.

Thanks for giving us permission to post negative comments about your thread.
:)

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If you have questions regarding the elephants or Elephant's World, go on Facebook and leave your questions there. Paul is involved with the website and I'm sure he would be happy to help. If he is unavailable, someone else will be able to answer. I believe they are online most days.
Many thanks.

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Originally Posted by sabaii sabaii

I love elephants as much as the next guy, but paying 18,000 baht a month ?

An Elephant eats 16 hours a day.

That's a lot of shit in a month to clean up.

:)

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I was not asked to clean up anything, nor I believe are any of the other volunteers/visitors.
I understand your other points on the cost for a family. I guess I'm lucky it was only me I had to budget for. I would still encourage you to consider a day trip if you are in the area. They may consider a half day, quick look so you can make up your mind about the place. It might be worth speaking to them.

Please understand, I'm not connected with Elephant's World. They didn't ask me to post this or help them in any way. I did it because I enjoyed my time there and hope to encourage other people to at least take a look.
Many thanks.

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Originally Posted by sabaii sabaii

These are the prices for visiting

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Prices
1 day at Elephant’s World 1500 baht per person for non-Thai visitors. This includes one lunch, drinking water and taxi from and back to Kanchanaburi. Thai Nationals 500 baht for activities.

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The people on here love the 2 tier policy

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Dear sir/madam,

I live in Bangkok and my family are visiting Thailand next month.

We are interested in a one day visit to your Elephant camp.

We are curious about the pricing system. Why would we be charged (1,500thb) three times the price of a Thai national (500 thb)?

Thanks,

Mr. Mao

We went there in 2011. Great day out. Certainly not a tourist trap, but a friendly way to learn something about the beasties. Also great with the kids.