TRAVEL WITH CHRIS BROWN
CHIANG MAI, THAILAND
Chiang Mai is the sleepy northern neighbor to Thailand’s bustling capitol Bangkok. Known
for its amazing night markets and beautiful scenery, Chris Brown heads there in search of a
very different kind of adventure. Baanchang Elephant Park is dedicated to providing
elephants with the highest quality of life possible. They teach their visitors about elephant
conservation by letting them get ‘hands on’ in Mahout School. Learning to be a Mahout (or
elephant carer) is all in a day’s work for our Dr Chris – but learning to ‘surf and elephant’ isn’t
quite what he expected.
CHIANG MAI FAST FACTS
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The best time of year to visit Chiang Mai is between November and February, during
Thailand’s cool season.
The city of Chiang Mai is home to over 300 temples, or ‘Wats’ as they are known in
Thai, almost as many as Bangkok.
Chiang Mai literally means “new city” however it is now over 700 years old – it was
founded in 1296.
The Thai Elephant Conservation Centre is located about a 90 minute drive from
Chiang Mai near the city of Lampang. A perfect day trip!
THAI ELEPHANT CONSERVATION CENTRE
Once upon a time there were 100,000 elephants in Thailand. Now only a few thousand
survive. The Thai Elephant Conservation Centre (TECC) was founded in 1993 under Royal
Patronage and cares for more than 50 Asian elephants in a beautiful forest conveniently
located near the city of Chiang Mai. Active in conservation, the TECC operates an on-site
hospital, treating injured elephants free of charge. They also have an excellent natural
breeding rate, usually producing at least two baby elephants a year.
A ‘mahout’ is a person who rides and looks after an elephant and the TECC runs a popular
home-stay program where you can learn the magic of this amazing job. Local mahouts will
teach you the basics of riding an elephant, control techniques, command words, mounting
and dismounting, steering and more. All programs provide meals, bottled water, a free suit of
northern Thai denim mahout clothing (baggy, long trousers are best riding an elephant), and
a certificate. Chris took part in the one day home-stay program, which also includes bathing
your elephant in the river and taking it home back into the forest for its rest.
Be sure to check out the entertaining elephant show while you are there, performed daily by
12 very intelligent elephants. You will be amazed by their incredible range of skills!
Elephant Shows:
Adults $5
Kids $3.50
The one day home-stay program:
Approx. $115
The two day home-stay program:
Approx. $190
The three day home-stay program:
Approx. $280
Accommodation on-site:
From approx. $20 a night
Contact Details:
Thai Elephant Conservation Centre
28-29 Lampang-Chiang Mai Highway
Hang Chat, Lampang, Thailand
Phone: +66 5482 9333
Email: [email protected]
CHIANG MAI NIGHT MARKET
Every evening between 5pm and 11pm, the centre of Chiang Mai comes alive with the
massive Night Market that stretches for several blocks. This is a must on any tourist’s
itinerary – taste local delicacies (for as little as $1!), grab some bargain souvenirs, enjoy a
drink or check out the local entertainment. The stalls that are squeezed on to the pavement,
and in the purpose-built arcades of Chang Klan Road, are one of Chiang Mai's biggest
attractions, so it’s hard not to miss this sprawling cultural melting pot. You might even find
yourself a bargain tribal hat.
Contact Details:
Chiang Mai Night Market
Chan Klan Road
Chiang Mai
WEBLINKS
www.tourismthailand.org/au
www.thailandelephant.org