Elephant Camps - choosing and booking

I%26#39;ve only recently realized that there are multiple options out of Chang Mia to visit an elephant camp or conservation center.

My plan was to just book something after I arrive (after picking up loads of tourist info).

Do I need to be careful in my choosing - and can I get advise about where to go. Can people advise me as to where to go - or where to avoid.

I%26#39;m not really interested in seeing them do ';tricks'; etc., just to learn a little and see them in a happy environment. I could probably take or leave riding them.

thanks

Elephant Camps - choosing and booking

I would highly recommend that you look into the Elephant Nature Park...http://www.elephantnaturepark.org/index.htm

You will not be able to ride an elephant but you will be able to see elephants being elephants and not slaves to %26#39;tricks%26#39;. My friends and I went earlier this year and it was one of the most wonderful experiences of my trip to Thailand. The founder was named as Asia%26#39;s woman of the year a few years back.

For the nature park I recommend that you book ahead of time on their website. They tend to get full as they only allow a certain number of %26#39;tourists%26#39; a day.

Have a great time!

Elephant Camps - choosing and booking

The only place that doesnt do %26#39;rides%26#39; or %26#39;tricks/shows%26#39; if the Elephant Nature Park. The website is www.elephantnaturefoundationonline.com . You can only book this one through their office in CM or website. They dont sell through any agents. They only allow a certain number of people each day so it would be best to book online, depending on when you will be there. Maybe email them and find out how busy it is looking at the time you will be in CM.

The other popular one people recommend is the Conservation Centre at Lampang outside CM - this one has the show etc.

Sorry for repeating that! Yaya posted the msg while I was typing mine. It is the same place. The website I mentioned is their new one, however the old one still works I think.

If you have more time, head up to the Anantara resort at the Golden Triangle or the Four Seasons Tented camp (if you%26#39;re very rich!) - both have elephant camps, which is part of the conservation effort. You can take courses (1 to 3 days) for mahout training. They%26#39;ll tell you about the lives of the elephants and get you to ride and command them, as well as take them into the river for washing etc. Fun and informative.

Then you MUST visit the Elephant Nature Park. This is certainly the one for you I am sure of that. Many stay for 1 night or 1 week, depending how much time you would like to spend with the elephants.

Lek (real name is SANGDUEN CHAILERT) was awarded Asian woman of the year by Time Magazine and National Geographic did a very good documentary on the park last year.

Very very interesting and I think you will never ride an elephant in Thailand. It had an amazing impact on all 16 people we met the day we went to visit the reserve.

You will not regret checking it out if you are up North!

The reference is elephantnaturepark.org

The elephand nature park sounds like the ideal visit for us.

How long a drive is it from Chaing Mai?

I don%26#39;t want to do an overnight because of time restrictions.

Should we hire a guide and car, or just a car?

Thanks

Bev

Hi Bev

They are apparently an hour out of Chiang Mai but they pick you up from your CM accommodation as part of the price... you then apparently go to the markets to get the elephants food then head out there. They drop you back late afternoon..

Their new website where you can book is www.elephantnaturefoundationonline.com (think the old website still works as well but this is a really good website the new one with lots of into)

You cant book them through any travel agents but if you are in Chaing Mai they do have an office there that you can book at. It is best to book ahead though as they only take a limited number of people each day!

Emjay xx

Elephant Nature Park is the only place that does not exploit the animals. You can book through their web-site and receive a confirmation e-mail and yes they will pick you up from your hotel. You can also book through their office which is located in the Night Market.

Please note that when you try to book through your hotel they probably will try and sell you a different package to a different camp as most receive kick-backs.

Lek is an amazing woman and her devotion to the Elephants is an experience that I was happy to have been able to be a part of.

I agree with all the other posters -- and not because we went to the Elephant Nature Camp or the Conservation center near Lampang, but because we ended up at one of the touristy places that exploit the elephants. My guide apparently didn%26#39;t understand when I said we did NOT want to go to one of the places with shows and loads of people riding the poor ellies all day long. I thought we were heading to the Nature Camp, and when I realized we were at one of the other camps, it was too late -- and my 7 year old wanted to see the elephants. I felt so sorry for these magnificent animals.

Be clear where you want to go. We were lucky enough to spend a couple of days at the Anantara Golden Triangle Resort (a most lovely place) and there we saw how elephants are supposed to be treated. It was a great experience to wander down in the morning and feed and help to bathe the elephants. My husband and daughter took a walk thru the forest one afternoon and ran into several of the elephants there -- adults on long ankle chains so they could forage, and the baby and juvenile free.

Hello,

You can book elephant nature park through Gem Travel 23-25 Chareonpratet Rd Soi 6, Chaing Mai, (big green building), or www.elephantnaturepark.org We booked our trip through there small office along the night bizzar road,difficult to find at night suggest looking during the day. It%26#39;s on same side as large food hall.

Pick up from hotel 0815-0830 onto market to pick up 500kg of bananas. Then onto the camp takes about 90 minutes. returned late afternoon. things to take hat, sunscreen, towel if you want to help wash elephants, water

Enjoy we did (watch the video!)

Lindsay

Buy Chanel in Thailand?

Can you buy genuine European cosmetics such as Chanel at lower prices in Thailand than in the U.S.? What about ';real'; designer bags? Are they available at lower prices than in the U.S.? Where? Living in NY, have had my fill of fakes!!

Buy Chanel in Thailand?

It would be unusual to find genuine luxury products, such as cosmetics, cheaper in Thailand than in the USA. My understanding is that Thailand has fairly stiff import duties on many luxury products. When we travel to thailand, my wife frequently brings cosmetics and perfume bought in the USA as gifts for friends and family.

Buy Chanel in Thailand?

Hi I bought some cosmetics and they were cheaper than in Holland. But not cheaper than in the states. In Thailand all the designer goods are more expensive than in the states. So buy it in N.Y. much cheaper. Micky

Lower prices for nearly all cosmetics outside of Thailand, so I would buy in the States (but do check out Watsons, sometimes have special offers on certain European products)

I am not sure how much yo pay in the US but i use chanel and the price difference between Hong Kong and Bangkok was huge but now it is almost the same(hong kong still a bit cheaper)

I pay Baht 1040 for a lipstick (about 28US$)

And the new cream is 11000 baht

hotel

hi eveybody i m going to krabi in xmas but icant find a hotel in ao nang or nopharath beach doest anyone have any phone number for any travel agency thank you

hotel

Head to sites like wotif.com, sawadee.com, morethailand.com, asiatravel.com, asiarooms.com, hotelthailand.com, hoteltravel.com. There is still availability. All the above sites I have personally used and found their service impecable.

Restaurants at Bo Phut

Hi

Im due to go to the Bo Phut Resort and Spa for my honeymoon next week.

Can anyone recommend around 6 restaurants (not in hotels) that are worth going to?

My wife and I like seafood and thai food. What ones would any of you recommend?

Thank you.

Restaurants at Bo Phut

Hi this might be a bit vague but there are lots of places to eat in bophut and from my experiance i have never had a bad meal in any of them i am sure you will have a great time in bophut it is a great little village

Sue

Restaurants at Bo Phut

Hi mymolly,

Two we would recommend are Villa Bianca and The Happy Elephant. Both are in Bo Phut Fishermans Village. Villa Bianca does have a web link (www.villabiancasamui.com) but we can%26#39;t seem to open it at the moment.

Hope this helps a little.

Hi

Starfish %26amp; Coffee

Happy Elephant

Frog %26amp; Gecko

The Shack for steak

Tong Chai -Thai food by Fishermans Village Sign

Angela%26#39;s Bakery

The Boat Gallery

Villa Bianca good but expensive

Cactus next to Bo Phut Resort

Beach Vendors ....Pineapple on a stick ....Fresh Mango...

Happy Honeymoon

Regards

KIWIKEITH

Anyone been to the Sirroco Sky Bar?

I%26#39;ve heard wonderful reports of this bar and restaurant near Saphon Taksin. I know they have a dress code and that it could be expensive. But can you go there just for a drink and to admire the views? Any information would be appreciated.

Anyone been to the Sirroco Sky Bar?

Yes you can just go for a drink and enjoy the view. The view is fantastic and I%26#39;m glad you%26#39;ve been warned before that its expensive, cuz it really is.

Anyone been to the Sirroco Sky Bar?

Check out this post from the below link

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g293916-i3687-k866鈥?/a>

I hope it helps

Celine

Many thanks. Think we%26#39;ll check out the Banyan Tree also, which sounds equally as wonderful as the Sirocco.

Not cheap by Thailand standards but not expensive compared to a 4/5 star bar in London. Meal and couple of drinks 拢45 a head. Think wine was 拢5 a glass. We ate at Vertigo and Sirrocco and felt that Sirrocco had the edge. As for dress code, no trainers, combats or similar . Don%26#39;t miss going to one of them, even for just a drink. Brilliant!

Not something to do all night as can get expensive, but really worth going to both, a glass of champagne at Sirocco was 20 pound a glass.

We paid 180 for two courses with drinks. I preferred Banyan Tree out of both, but both are great.

Hi Broadacres,

When are you travelling? We will be going to Vertigo on the 17th December for a meal and drinks, I will post when I get back (if you have not already travelled) and let you know our impressions.

Sarah

x

what time do these places open??? we wouldn%26#39;t mind going for an early evening drink what is best way to get there our nearest bts is chit-lom or is taxi better????? we don%26#39;t want to end uo too far from our hotel in the dark and get lost!!!!!!

Thanks Balimoon. Actually, we%26#39;re in Bangkok 9th to 16th December after a few days in Phuket. As both the Sirocco and the Banyan Tree sounds equally as nice, we shall get our son (on holiday also) to treat us at both places!!!!!!.....lol

eyebrows liner

email

Railay Beach - need hotel advice

Hi there, was wondering if someone could kindly recommend one of 3 places to stay in Krabi? I have read reviews, but some conflicting... seems that Sand Sea Resort is the better option, but advice greatly received (dont wanna make the wrong choice)!

- Tonsai Bay Resort?

- Sand Sea Resort?

OR

- Railay Bay Resort

Thanks a million, roxy

Railay Beach - need hotel advice

Roxy:

If you time read my post on Rialay. I stayed at the Rialay Bay Resort last week and loved it. I did not see the rooms at the Sand Sea but the pool at the Rilay Bay is better as it sits right on the edge of the sand and bay. The Sand Sea pool is set back a bit but only about 30 feet or so. Tonsai Bay Resort is on a separate small bay from the Rilay Bay and Sand Sea (visable to each other). There is very little to do at night on Tonsai Bay where as if staying at the Sand Sea or Rilay Bay you have plenty of options for food and bars though very low key.

Railay Beach - need hotel advice

Hi Roxy

Have you been on your trip yet? I am going in Feb and am having the same dilemma between Sand Sea and Railay Bay. Although, i am struggling to get a booking at Sand Sea at the moment, and have been more successful at Railay Bay.

Thanks v much

Hi Roxy

Have you been on your trip yet? I am going in Feb and am having the same dilemma between Sand Sea and Railay Bay. Although, i am struggling to get a booking at Sand Sea at the moment, and have been more successful at Railay Bay.

Thanks v much

we were in the sunrise tropical resort last feb in a villa plus (outside shower) 3500 baht per night .we were only booked in for 2 nights but after 1 night we booked for an extra 5 it was that good.the only way to get to the villas is by longtail boat from ao nang or another pier i cant remember the name.the location is out of this world. the villas are also the best we have stayed at in thailand.if your looking for a relaxing time and a beach to die for overlooking the sunset then this is the place for you.it has a big wow factor.

enjoy......

did you check out railay bay resort at all when you were there%26gt;? sunrise does sound lovely, but im trying to stick to a slightly tighter budget and railay bay have some more basic rooms... if we arent happy i think we will go to sunrise thought, have read a lot of good reviews of it today...

no i didnt go in but if you can spare a few extra bahts the sunrise in a tropical villa plus is a must.the rawadee is by far the best but everyone else says the sunrise is next.but hey anyway the big deal here is location location location

have a good day.....

Hi upthedons,

thanks for your post.

We are also thinking of staying at the Sunrise Tropical resort next March. I thought the best beaches were on the west side of Railey and also wouldn%26#39;t the sun set on the west side?

Can you recommend any cafe%26#39;s/restaurants on Railey for dinner?

Thanks

Nicky

hi there ,the west side is less than a 5 min walk from the sunrise tropical resort there are a few places to eat drink and watch the fantastic sunset i cant remember the names but alone for the sunset it is well worth it,also a few nights we went to ao nang which is more lively and only a short longtail boat ride,also on the east side there is some bars which are very chilled out with ith very comffy thai beds the likes.over all if chilled out is your thing then this place is for you.you will see monkeys near the rawadee on the most fantastic beach you will have ever seen im sure of that,let me know how you get on.

cheers

Where to meet expats

Where does one go to meet friendly and helpful expats in Chiang Mai?

Where to meet expats

Hi

try the chiang mai expat club.

http://www.chiangmaiexpatsclub.com

It holds meets twice a month second and fourth saturday morning of the month.