A month ago I visit Lampang, a province in the North of Thailand and I got a chance to visit the National Elephant Institute not so far away from the Lumpang city. I always wanted to go there because I have seen the place many times in TV whenever there are sick elephant or injured elephants they will be sent to this institute. The National Elephant Institute is the largest Thai elephants conserving center with good standard for domestic elephant care. But not only Thai elephant anymore because last time I check, a Burmese elephant was sent there to be taken care of since the institute have all the needed equipment.

There are many activities for tourists, such as, elephant show, homestay, elephant riding, trekking and training to ride elephant. The show is scheduled 7 days a week and the ticket for the show is really cheap for both Thais and Foreigners.

The place won Thailand Tourism Awards for the best natural tourist spot. Today it is also a school for those who want to learn more about elephants. The students will be closed to those smart and friendly elephants and live with Thai Homestay where you will experience Thai northern life style. It’s only 10-day course that really worth the time. It’s might be your only opportunity to be that close to elephants and get to know them and learn how to take care of them.

Find out for more info about the course at www.thailandelephant.org.

What I love about the place is besides being a home, a school for those kindest big animals; it is a hospital for sick or injured elephants and a nursery for the young ones. If you have never seen the little ones, you really have to go because the biggest baby creatures are such adorable and you will fall in love with them at the first time you see them.