Elephants have long been regarded as a vital part of Thai culture. Found indigenously around the country, there are many sanctuaries where elephants are kept. Not only that, but you can also find them in
Elephants have long been regarded as a vital part of Thai culture. Found indigenously around the country, there are many sanctuaries where elephants are kept. Not only that, but you can also find them in local zoos and processions that are held throughout the year. If you are thinking of visiting Thailand, you should know that your trip will not be complete unless you are able to explore a sanctuary for elephants. It’s a fascinating experience that will take you into natural parks where you can explore their natural habitats and get to see these majestic beasts up close. If you are thinking of going to an elephant sanctuary, here are a few things that you should know.
Booking a Tour
The first thing you need to do is find a suitable sanctuary that you can visit. Because the country is so big, there are many places where you can book a tour. It might be a wise idea to narrow down your options by checking online for different sanctuaries and where they are located. The most important thing that you need to check is the treatment for ethical elephant in Thailand. Does the sanctuary make sure that they respect the lifestyle of these gentle giants? Natural sanctuaries are the best because the animals are allowed to roam free, while all their needs are met.
To promote tourism, many of these sanctuaries offer overnight tours as well. These are guided tours where a professional will stick with you and explain to you how elephants live their lives. You don’t need to worry about any breach of ethics, because in most cases, you will only be allowed to go near the animals only when the guide allows it. Perhaps the biggest reason why you should consider going to an elephant sanctuary is because you will get to see these animals in their live habitats.
Etiquette to Follow
A lot of people get overly excited when they visit a natural sanctuary for elephants, and they often end up doing things that should be avoided. For instance, the most important thing that you need to do is avoid running all over. These are guided tours, so it’s best if you stick with your guide instead of running from one place to another to take photographs. More importantly, you have to understand that there are designated areas for taking photos, so you should stick to that.
Perhaps the most important thing that you need to keep in mind is not to feed these animals anything that you have in your pocket. These are not animals in a zoo, unlike what most people think, and they are very well adjusted to their natural lives. Avoid feeding them foods that could eventually end up harming them. These are just a few things that you need to know about going to an elephant sanctuary and exploring the culture of Thailand.