Hotel & Tours Group

Set within the resort's lush bamboo forest, Anantara's Elephant Camp is now home to 31 elephants rescued from former grim existence in cities like Bangkok. With them came their mahouts (trainers) and families in a project that is aligned with the activities of the Thai government's Elephant Conservation Centre in Lampang and the National Elephant Institute.

While the 'mahouts' are gainfully employed by Anantara Resort Golden Triangle, a silk-weaving project was established to provide in the livelihood of their families, their children attend local schools, and the resort has fully ensured them and their elephants. A visit to the Elephant Camp is a big highlight for guests at the resort; a chance to get up close and personal with Thailand's gentle giants. For the adventurous, an opportunity is offered to undertake a three-day mahout training course. Apart from learning to 'drive' an elephant and gaining rare insight of mahout camp life, meeting the mahouts themselves is quite an experience. Like Khun Lord, the most senior mahout and Anantara's very own 'elephant whisperer' - named so for his very unusual ability to train baby elephants with tickles and whispers.