Asian elephants have long been used as beasts of burden for man in transportation, timber logging or even in war, which were also the main abilities showcased in the early days of elephant camps. Thailand has about 100 thousand elephants during 20th century but remains 5,000 at this stage. The famous Maesa Elephant Camp of Chiang Mai has opened for 30 years and had become a leader and expert in the field of elephant's breeding, training, healthcare and sustainable tourism. Maesa Elephant Camp is situated in a lush tropical jungle of Chiang Mai's Maesa Valley with a rushing river flanking by the side. It was established in year 1976 by Choochart Kalmapijit who was inspired by the understanding and deep intelligence of the elephants.
Maesa Elephant Camp is a true place enabling you to have a real glimpse into lives and facts about elephants. What they eat, how they live, their biology, future and continue development and promotion of their skills, intelligence and abilities.
Maesa Camp currently has less than 100 elephants including the 30 rescued ones. Bathing elephants in the camp is part of trainers' job but is also the tourists' entertainment.
Big family of elephants live side by side with their mahout care takers.
Oooop .... we were suddenly carried up like this by elephant's long trunk, unexpectedly. He surprised you, so make him happy, tips him ...banana...but if you show him notes, he will leave banana..........Thai elephant has sensitive nose for money smell !
Well being and nourishment of elephants are of prime importance in Maesa Camp. To ensure sufficient feeding and health of the elephants, the daily 6 tons grass, bananas, sugarcane that the elephants consumed are all self-grown., planting with addition of some special grass and herbs.
For the past over years, the camp founder, Choochart Kalmapijit never stop purchasing elephants from all over the country and his mahouts and experts worked and fell in love with elephants, revealing their skill or fact, one after another!
Maesa Elephant Camp is the first camp certified by ISO9001.
Demonstration of timber logging and see.......how they sit....!!!!!
Maesa Elephant Camp is nested in a beautiful lush tropical valley, 20 minutes drive away from Chiang Mai downtown.
Start a journey with elephants to the beautiful and rugged Mae Taeng Valley., a home to many ethnic hill tribes.
The elephants were taking its guests along the bank of Mae Taeng River with lush forest and inviting water.
While carrying you across hill and river, the elephant keep on demanding for food. Banana and sugarcane are their favorite. Their appetite is real huge. It is really not too easy to sustain their living.
It was indeed an exciting adventure to be on the elephant back carriage to move on uneven mountainous area and cross over the rushing river. The elephant I rode on amused me by carrying me up a small way to plug wild lychee after feeding him a bundle of sugarcane, very interesting!
The lychee in my hand were plugged by our elephants and presented to us by their trunks.
Experience how the locals commute in this beautiful forested region in an Ox-cart riding through rural site.
Valley of Mae Taeng undoubtedly is one of the most environment friendly place remained on earth. We had a wonderful buffet lunch under the natural hut and visited the handicraft of hill tribes.
Unique hotel by the side of Mae Taeng River, which costs about US$180.00 per night and any minute you got to welcome unusual guest...snakes
Maetaeng River winds its way through valleys and canyons eventually joining into Chao Praya on its way to Thailand Gulf.
The interesting bamboo rafting in Maetaeng river.
Relax and hold your breath for the beautiful and rugged Maetaeng valley that totally revealed in front of you
The Chiang Mai Orchid Garden breed variety of orchid species, making the place glory in colors.
A typical tropical landscape in Orchid Garden.
Golden Triangle refers to the points of actual convergence of the borders between the three countries of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos. It located near the northernmost point of Thailand and was once the center of all opium poppy growing in Thailand and also the other two bordering countries. This notorious area is not far from the historic town of Chiang Saen and is bolstered by its history and surrounding towns. The illicit crops have long been replaced by the small tourist village of Sob Ruak. The area's legacy of opium production, usage and trading which continued right up until 1980's is well documented in two museums nearby.
The River side settlements of Laos over the other side of Thai village Sob Ruak.
It was an enjoyable and memorial experience to hire a long tail boat and cruising up and down in Mekong River to have a glimpse of village life in many riverside settlements particular over into Laos.
Laos Village.
People at Laos village lead a very simple and basic life.
The river front position at the confluence of Mekong and Ruak Rivers makes this notorious site an uniquel appeal. It is not far from the historic town of Chiang Saen and is bolstered by its history and surrounding towns.
The red roofing building is a casino located on Myanmar's land. It is very popular with Thai folks and with some special arrangement, it is not too difficult to get there. .
Chiang Saen, once the capital of Lanna and an important trading town in the area, features some ancient unspoilt temples Wat Pa Sak dating to 1295 and has a vast Stupa surrounded by smaller temples and Chedis.
A minority hill tribe boy at point of Golden Triangle. Indication of sign showing 2650 km above sea level and also arrows direction towards Thailand and Laos.
The massive brick Chedi at Wat Chedi Luang is said to be originated in 14th century.
Enjoying a natural foot therapy in this little hot spring pool while on the way to Golden Triangle.
The town Mae Sai lying at Thai border on the division between Myanmar is a typical frontier trading town with an old hill top temple.
Far end of the mountains, viewed from Mae Sai, are the territory of Myanmar.
The home of the ethnic hill tribes at village of Maetaeng Valley.
The hut is the place they live, they work and they display their products.
Hill tribes at the village.
Villages of the minority hill tribes of Chiang Mai. Most of them, includes of long-necked tribe, lead a very simple yet contented life. They farm, weave or hand make products for sales to earn a basic living.
Most importantly for them is to keep and maintain their beauty symbols like long beautiful neck, long ears or black teeth.
They do not have any media or televison or any form of modern communications nor do they desire any materialized demands, but from their great smiles, we know they are happier than most of us.
Experience a night at this Chiang Mai Cultural center. Audiences were seated on the floor and entertained with 9 traditional courses of Northern Thai cuisines and a nearly three hours show of traditional Thai dances and various hill tribes costume and legend shows.
The ancient drama.
Audiences joined into the dances.
Harvest Dance
Fire performance.
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