Responsible Tourism

Working with Elephants in Thailand Volunteer Project

» For more information, reviews and availability, click here «

The 1-4 week project offers a great opportunity to get a basic understanding of the Thai domestic elephant and their relation with their mahout. You will not only learn how to ride your elephant but also how to care for the elephant. You can learn about the traditional life of the mahouts, you will become very close with their community and join in various communal activities. At the end of this project, you will receive a document which proves your skills as elephant. The elephant mahout project has been developed in order to help the old elephants and the mahouts who live in the park. By creating jobs and financial support, our aim is that they can stay together at the camp forever and have a fairly easy and pleasant future.

About the Area

The project is situated at Forever Elephant camp in a very quiet area 15km south of Pattaya city. It is surrounded by forest and the elephants have a spacious area where they can eat, bath and relax. Currently there are about 7 domestic elephants living here together with their mahouts. The elephants here are treated like friends and have been trained well by their mahouts. The elephants go for short walks with tourists that visit the camp, which helps to support the elephants and the mahouts on a financial basis, however by working as a volunteer your assistance will be both practical AND financial. Pattaya itself is a modern city offering many attractions, activities and possibilities for shopping. The lovely beach of Jomtien is only 2 km away from the volunteer accommodation and can be easily reached.

About the Elephants

The forest in Thailand has decreased considerably due to deforestation and eucalyptus plantations. With less work in the forests, there is less logging work - the main occupation of domestic elephants for many years. As food supplies in the forest also decline, the mahouts need to find another source of income in order to take care of their elephants.

Some bring their elephants to big cities like Bangkok and try to make money from tourists. However, the Bangkok streets are treacherous for elephants because of the numerous cars, not to mention the fact that it is not always easy to find the 200 kg of food each animal needs per day. Elephants can also damage the roads and can be a danger to the local people. Some mahouts take very poor care of their animals and their elephants are kept in awful conditions. They are jabbed with knives and spears, overworked and overdosed on amphetamines to increase their stamina.

The Thai government attempted to solve the problem by banning all elephants from the city however this solution proved to be flawed as several animals died of starvation. Unlikely as it might seem tourism appears to be an answer in order to guarantee a good future for the domestic elephants in Thailand but it needs to be controlled well. At the moment, almost 70% of the baby elephants working in tourism are believed to have been poached from the wild. Poachers often kill the mother in order to get the calf. For the future, the situation is improving, as most national parks with wild elephants are well protected and many programs have been set up in order to ensure the survival of the wild elephant.

The Project

At the project there are about 7 domestic elephants who live together with their mahouts. You will become part of this community for at least a week. Together with the elephants and the mahouts, you will learn how to control the elephant and will clean and wash them during the day. There is a lot to learn on this project both about the domestic elephants and about Thai culture. Educating the tourists who visit the project for elephant rides is also an important task, so in the beginning we will teach you a lot about the elephants to enable you to answer their questions. You will also be expected to support with activities such as cleaning and cooking.

You will normally volunteer from Monday to Saturday midday. We usually start with breakfast at 8, leaving for the 20 minute drive to camp at 8.30. Some of the tasks you will perform include preparing food, bathing of the elephants, cleaning the area, guiding and supplying information to tourists... and of course, you will practice controlling the elephant. Work will finish around 3. At least once during the project you will have the opportunity to stay overnight at the mahout village, becoming part of their community. Evenings and weekends are free.

Accommodation

Accommodation is very comfortable. You will stay in Green Jomtien studios in South Pattaya. Rooms have air-conditioning, ensuite shower/toilet and TV. You may have to share the room with another volunteer unless you specifically request otherwise.

You will be served a variety of Thai local dishes 3 times a day whilst at the camp. In the morning, bread and jam are also available. Sometimes you may be requested to support with the cooking. Cold water, tea and coffee are included with meals. Soft drinks and water can be purchased in a local shop at the project.

» For more information, reviews and availability, click here «