Last updated on April 23rd, 2018 at 09:57 am

At the Ayutthaya Floating River Market…

The mighty elephants are still revered today in Thailand.  But sadly not as much as before. Back in the days elephants were used to build ancient Thai cities and were even ridden to defend them from invaders afterwards. Some special temples were even built specifically on the spot where one dies. Sadly today many Thai elephants are killed for their tusks. Or young elephants are towed into cities as a walking, hulking curiosity where their handlers charge money to let tourists have a photo souvenir. Such ‘street elephants’ are often mishandled and drugged so as they do not spook easy and run rampaging through crowded streets.

I’ve always admired elephants ever since I read that they actually mourn when there is a death in the herd. And they will try and comfort a sick elephant up until its final moments. And upon death the herd will dig a shallow grave and cover their lost member.That really says a lot about an elephant’s nature. Because if compassion is also a trait in elephants then we should hold them in high regards.

Fortunately there are many organizations that run elephant camps where they are well cared for. The best elephant camp that I know of is up north in the city of Chiang Mai called Maesa Elephant Camp. There you ride elephants around a trail and even become a Mahout where you’re taught the basic commands to lead an elephant and give it a bath. And that’s a souvenir you’ll never forget!