Elephant Riding in Thailand

Anytime one is traveling abroad it is always a great idea to try something authentically local in order to have the best possible holiday experience. One of the great things to try while traveling to Thailand is Elephant riding. Not only is this an activity you won't find readily available elsewhere in the world, it also offers a unique insight into the culture of the country you are visiting. 

The Noble History of Thai Elephants

Elephants have a special place in history as well as in Thai culture. These magnificent creatures were once the primary source of transportation in Thailand. Of course this was long before the discovery of rivers and the invention of roads. The elephants were also instrumental in the clearing of many forests in order to build the very roads that have replaced them as a source of transportation.

Of course, elephants are still used today in dense forests and other areas where traditional (in this case modern) modes of transportation are simply inadequate.

There is something special and unique about exploring the natural beauty of a country sitting atop an elephant. It is actually quite poetic when you think about it. Many religious figures and icons that have dotted the history of the Asian religions have had an affinity for elephants as a result the elephants themselves are often associated with religious figures involving royalty, power, fertility, and wisdom among other things.

In Thailand specifically, elephants were once believed to bear the responsibility of water the fields.

Elephants have served many purposes throughout history and while they are thought of as gentle beasts have proven that they can in fact be fierce warriors. War elephants were used not only as psychological warfare against unsuspecting enemies but also proved to be effective weapons of their own right. In addition to this, they were also able to carry an enormous amount of cargo thus proving to serve their military in various tasks. Even Tolkien used these incredible war elephants as the inspiration for his Oliphaunt.

Beyond their history as warriors, elephants have practical (or not so practical purposes today). Especially riding them. That purpose is Elephant Polo. This is a sport that has attracted the attention of societies elite around the world. The rules of the game are very similar to those of horse polo with a few not so minor exceptions. The first exception would be the fact that the playing field is about 3/4 the size of a traditional polo field; this is because elephants are much slower than horses.

The other is an additional rule that penalizes a team if the elephant lies down in front of the goal. A rope harness and stirrups are used to secure players to their elephant and in the 20-year history of the game; very few players have ever fallen off their elephants.

Why Travel by Elephant?

In addition to learning about these incredible creatures, riding an elephant gives you a much finer appreciation for their intelligence. Elephants have often been believed to be among the top ten most intelligent animals (other than humans of course) while only being consistently bested by chimpanzees and gorillas. These creatures are known for their patience, their ability to stay on course, and their perseverance.

Humans can learn a great deal from them as they go about their work. And yes, I would wager that carrying a bunch of humans and supplies around all day constitutes as work.

The good news however, is that elephants don't grumble about their jobs quite the way that humans do. In fact, I firmly believe that most animals are happy to have jobs to keep them busy. It's not like they can exactly vegetate in front of the television all day watching MTV, well perhaps my dog could but that's another story all together. Animals are often very happy when they have specific tasks to complete, especially animals that exhibit higher learning potential (such as elephants).

Elephant riding is also a practical way of traveling over terrain that would be less than desirable for traveling in automobiles. Elephants can go places that cars simply cannot. They can also carry an incredible amount of cargo during that travel. This makes the trips purposeful rather than simply recreational as much needed supplies can reach destinations that are often overlooked because traditional (modern) means of travel are often inaccessible.

This holds true not only for terrains that are never favorable for travel as well as some roadways that may regularly wash out due to rains or many other mitigating factors. Elephants are versatile and strong creatures and riding an elephant is a great way to travel. However, it is necessary to travel by elephant if you want to visit certain locales rather than a pleasure trip.

Another great benefit to riding elephants is that you are kind of forced to sit back, relax, and enjoy nature. If you fight it, you will definitely have a miserable experience that will be likely to blight your entire experience of Thailand. Keep in mind that elephants have an important role in the history of Asian people both for their very nature and for the exploitation of that nature.

Elephants as Religious Symbols

Not all elephant stories coming from the history books are happy tales. During the 16th and 17th centuries there were elephant fighting contests that were held, much like the gladiator fights, for the entertainment of the people.

The royalty would host these events for men to watch and cheer. While this isn't a shining example of the treatment of elephants, there are many who revere these wonderful creatures. In fact, many religious works or art, depict the image of an elephant.

There were three elephants that are of particular prominence within Buddhist legends: Patchainakhen, Palilai, and Nalagiri. If for no other reasons, this reason alone is why many people of Thailand have such respect for these great animals.

Unfortunately, not everyone reveres them equally. There are many elephants that suffer from over work, abuse, drug addictions (owners give them drugs to keep them working rather than allowing them proper time to heal), and wounds left from those who cut off their tusks.

Population Decline of Modern Elephants

The elephant population of Thailand has been declining at a frightening pace over the last several decades. There are many contributing factors to this and the plain truth is that the elephants used for the riding tours and treks are often the most protected of the species in the countries that are home to these wonderful creatures.

There are many mitigating circumstances in regards to the declining pachyderm population of Thailand but the problem is at least being acknowledged and addressed. Among the reasons being cited for the declining population of elephants is the continued search for ivory, the loss of their traditional habitats as people spread further out into their natural environments, and low birth rates.

The Response to the Population Problem

The good news is that steps are being taken to insure that these creatures will live on and the hope is that they will survive (at least some of them) in their natural habitats rather than in captivity. It is great to see the extraordinary measures being used to save these animals that have such an important role in the history of our world. If you're wondering what you can do to help, charter an elephant trekking tour.

Get to know these great creatures. As they are kept busy, they are being fed and cared for the humans that work so closely with them.

It isn't every day that the opportunity to ride an elephant will present itself and this is one thing that really is a must do on your visit to Thailand. There is no better way to experience the Thai culture than viewing the breathtaking countryside from the top of an elephant.

In addition to the beauty and the oneness with nature is the fact that if you are bringing children along with you on your vacation to Thailand you will give them a memory that they will some day tell their children about. The experience of riding an elephant for a child is a purely magical experience and one that they will cherish for their entire lives.

Now, if you are traveling to Thailand with the love of your life, how unique and romantic is it to give him or her the gift of time together atop an elephant. Actually as far as romantic dates go, I think this would truly have to take the cake. Can you imagine telling your children and grandchildren about your romantic evening riding an elephant through the jungles of Thailand? What a romantic way to propose or recommit.

One thing is for sure, it will not be the same old tired story all of your friends are telling about rings in champagne glasses or in the cake.

If you haven't taken the opportunity to learn about these incredible beasts and their amazing contribution to the history of the world, now is definitely the time not only to learn about them, but also to take the opportunity to get to know them on a more personal level.

Take one of the many trips, treks, or journeys that are offered throughout Thailand during your stay. If you are nervous about riding an elephant, try one of the shorter trips rather than an extended journey.

You may decide you like it enough to partake of one of the longer, more extensive elephant treks. Elephant riding is the perfect gift to give you and your family during your trip to Thailand.