While traveling in Southeast Asia, it's impossible to ignore the animal tourism— monkey tours, elephant riding, tiger tours— but unfortunately there is a high possibility that these animals are abused for the benefit of tourism. In Thailand, we had dozens of options for visiting elephants, but the talk surrounding the industry was frightening. We found research of companies prodding the elephants with hooks, chaining them up at night in small spaces, blasting loud music in their ears, and other fowl cruelties. Money is a driving agent for some and elephants became a commodity of culture rather than the focus of refuge, whether from the illegal ivory trade or animal show-business. We desperately wanted to be travelers contributing to a change in the industry, helping the elephants rather than funding their mistreatment. 

Social psychologists for decades have been researching the answers to big questions such as ours.  How can authorities and activists discourage tourism that negatively impacts the social, economic, and environment ways of a community? According to the American Psychology Association in their essay “Crafting Persuasive Pro-Environment Messages,” studies show that the emphasis on social norms encourages social change.  By creating a standard from the positive perspective where people can make a difference, will more likely cause change. Tourists will be more likely to take action toward change if they know that it's simply a choice between supporting a company that protects animals and one that exploits them.  

As we planned to visit elephants in Thailand, we took every measure to ensure that our contributions affected the right people— the locals caring for elephants rather than benefiting from them. Some of the elements we were looking for were companies that directly marketed no riding, no hooks, and no chains. The groups committed to the safety of the animals work hard to distinguish themselves from those who don’t.

After rigorous searches, we discovered a sanctuary in Chiang Mai called Doi Inthanon Elephant Rescue National Park. We signed up for a full day tour to play and bath with rescued elephants. The family running the sanctuary greeted us with curt smiles and laughter. In vague English, they instructed us on how to approach the elephants with care and caution- with respect.  In our small group of seven, we were each given a bright pink traditional poncho that the Mahouts wear called a Karen cloth. The ponchos distinguished us as friendly,  in the eyes of the elephants. We were given a satchel of cantaloupe and bananas to feed the elephants and then we took to the open grasslands to meet three female elephants and one baby elephant. 

We spent the day following the elephants in the forest. In a line of habit, many of them rescued from the circus, the elephants assembled up the hill one after another. We spent an hour observing the beauty of elephants in a somewhat natural habitat. Each of them taking down trees, whole trees to get at the fresh leaves. Even the baby elephant attempted to follow suit and practiced breaking branches off the fallen trees. 

We ended the day by bathing the elephants. Following the gigantic beauties into a mud pit as we rubbed mud into their wrinkly skin. The mud helped prevent irritation from bugs. The elephants sprayed dirt onto their backs to protect themselves from insects, but now it was our turn to help. The family then lead the elephants to the river so we could clean their skin and cool them down. With buckets, we showered each elephant in a display of beautiful waterworks. They seemed to be smiling, and they even sprayed us with water in play. 

After their bath, the elephants returned to their fenced-in area. It was fenced in from the river, more to keep the tourists out rather than the elephants in. They had acres of the forest beyond the fence to roam, but they lingered close to the fence awaiting more treats. 

I don't take as much action as I should toward protecting animals, but being a responsible tourist, even a backpacker can create social change. We can indulge in wanting to interact with elephants without funding their mistreatment. With each conscious effort, we get one step closer to protecting elephants. It requires a bit of research and a love for travel, the impacts of social change will follow. 

Half Day Visit To Elephant National Park

1600 B ($48 USD)

07:00 – 07:30 AM, pick up from your hotel or accommodation, drive 1.5 hrs South of Chiang Mai

Includes: Feeding, interacting, playing, bathing, brushing and swimming with the elephants in their natural habitat. A Thai food lunch with seasonal fruit, tea and coffee

Leave Elephant Rescue National Park and drive approximately 1.5 hours to Chiang Mai and drop off at your hotel or accommodation about 2:00 PM

Full Day Visit to Elephant National Park

2400 B ($72 USD)

08:00 – 08:30 AM, pick up from your hotel or accommodation, drive 1.5 hrs South of Chiang Mai

Includes: Feeding, interacting, playing, bathing, brushing and swimming with the elephants in their natural habitat. A Thai food lunch with seasonal fruit, tea and coffee

Leave Elephant Rescue National Park and drive approximately 1.5 hours to Chiang Mai and drop off at your hotel or accommodation about 05:30 PM

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