Elephant Village – Bangkok

Update:

It sickens me to learn about how these animals were/are treated.


We do not know if this type of abuse was going on back in 2010 when we visited, but had we known, we would not have participated.

I do not support this type of behavior and I strongly encourage all of you who are considering this tour, to reconsider.

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On our 2nd day in Bangkok we went to the Tiger Temple in the morning and the Elephant Village in the afternoon.

I wrote about our time at the Tiger Temple HERE.

The Elephant Village is in the Kanchanaburi province and situated along the River Kwai Noi.

It is a little camp where Karen and Burmese mahouts live.

The village is very simple and charming and isn’t overrun with tourist or souvenir shops.

As a matter of fact, we were the only tourists there.

We were told to bring a change of clothes and a towel but had no idea what to expect other than we were going to get wet.

Our guide said she reserved the best mahout and elephant for the afternoon.

Elephant Village – Bangkok

She also warned us that the elephant has a reputation of being a tad naughty.

Elephant Village – Bangkok

We thanked her but had no idea what any of it really meant as we rode bareback down to the river.

Elephant Village – Bangkok

Needless to say, we quickly found out what naughty meant!

Elephant Village – Bangkok

Miss Naughty sucked water up into her trunk and then whipped it back into our faces.

Elephant Village – Bangkok

She did this several times and all we could do was laugh.

Elephant Village – Bangkok

Next thing you know, she is laughing!

She didn’t stop there.

The Burmese man yelled a command and Miss Naughty started rocking back and forth.

Elephant Village – Bangkok

It was like trying to stay on a bucking bull.

Elephant Village – Bangkok

We’d crawl back up on her and she’d rock us right back off.

Elephant Village – Bangkok

As soon as we were on her back, Miss Naughty rocked again.

Elephant Village – Bangkok

She threw a little more water back at us…

Elephant Village – Bangkok

And then it was our turn to toss water.

Elephant Village – Bangkok

Two against one didn’t matter.

Elephant Village – Bangkok

Miss Naughty won, hands down.

Elephant Village – Bangkok

We’d laugh, she’d laugh.

Elephant Village – Bangkok

For such a large animal she was extremely gentle.

Elephant Village – Bangkok

Elephant Village – Bangkok

And definitely playful.

Elephant Village – Bangkok

Elephant Village – Bangkok

There was so much respect and love between the mahout and his elephant.

It was obvious the two of them had a special bond.

We climbed back up on Miss Naughty to walk back to the camp.

Elephant Village – Bangkok

Or so we thought.

She tossed us again…

Elephant Village – Bangkok

Then laughed at us!

Elephant Village – Bangkok

Elephant Village – Bangkok

She is properly named, that’s for sure.

Elephant Village – Bangkok

Miss Naughty walked us back towards the camp…

Elephant Village – Bangkok

And grabbed large clumps of grass and plants on her way.

Elephant Village – Bangkok

A well-deserved snack.

When she dropped us off at the camp, we tipped her several baht for her time with us.

Elephant Village – Bangkok

What an amazing animal.

What an incredible afternoon.

John and I both fell sound asleep in the car on the way back to our hotel.

After all we left the hotel that morning at 5am, served Monks, bottle fed tiger cubs, washed, fed, and played with tigers, and then played got manhandled in the river by a 10,000 pound elephant.

We worked up quite an appetite and went to a family owned restaurant that was highly recommended to us, Queen of Curry.

For an appetizer, we had Spring Rolls with a Thai Chili Sauce and Chicken Satay with a Peanut Sauce:

Queen of Curry - Bangkok

I ordered Shrimp Pad Thai:

Queen of Curry - Bangkok

John ordered Shrimp Tom Yum Goong Nam Khon:

Elephant Village – Bangkok

Every bite we ate was followed by Mmms and Wows.

Queen of Curry – Bangkok

It was the perfect ending to an amazing day.

It truly was one of those days you just can’t believe you did once it is all over.

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