We got up early to beat the crowds to 7-11 to grab a protein shake and a yogurt for breakfast. Returning to the hostel, the taxi bus was waiting to take us to the elephant sanctuary.

After a lot of research, talking to locals, and looking for official recommendations we settled on Into the Wild Elephant Sanctuary. The history of elephants in Thailand is vast with them being used as transport creatures as well as mounts in war. Nowadays, the Thai culture is to respect the elephants and honor what their species has done for Thailand. They looked after the Thai now time for the Thai to look after them. The consensus now is that they are not to be ridden or used for transporting goods- we have cars for that now. They enjoy jungle walks, eating, bathing, and of course mud.

Into the Wild tailors their elephant experience to the elephants. We started with feeding them, they eat 400kg a day. Next we took the ones who wanted to on a jungle walk. Lunch was amazing with two Thai dishes and rice. Then we made vitamin balls for the elephants consisting of turmeric, banana, salt, natural bamboo sugar, and a few other ingredients lost to translation. After their vitamins we took those who wanted to for a bath in the river. Then it was time to say goodbye.

Those who look after the elephants are called Mahouts. Each Mahout has one elephant for the life of the elephant or the Mahout, whichever comes first. They taught us the comment ‘Bon’ for the elephant to raise its trunk and open its mouth for the vitamin ball to be placed on its tongue.

We learnt that there are around 7,000 elephants in Thailand with around 4,000 domesticated. These elephants are born and grow up being looked after by humans. The other are wild and are less used to humans.

The experience overall was peaceful and enjoyable. The bath was fun and the jungle walk was serene. They walk so quietly for such large creatures. You would not hear them coming behind you.

Due to the flooding we still couldn’t go to the night market. A 7-11 dinner and Netflix before bed.

-M

Ps. More elephant images pending. The company is sending them tomorrow