Elephantstayer review

An amazing week - one we will never forget!
Our family of 4 (including children aged 12 and 😎 wanted a hands-on experience with Elephants. We dont mind getting back to basics and getting dirty, and we wanted to get involved (not just watch).

We got all that and more at Elephantstay.
All of the wonderful people who work there made us feel a part of the place from the first day. There was no pressure to do anything we didnt want to do, and there were clear guidelines and expectations set right up front.

The pace is relaxed, with plenty of time to do your own thing in between the daily routine of looking after your elephants.

Life changing experience

My friend raved about #Elephantstay and when she asked if I would go with her I said "yes" but never did I think it would change my life. Elephantstay is a working elephant village which, in my opinion, just adds to the charm. From the moment you arrive, you are immersed in the village life. You are assigned an #elephant that you look after for the duration and it is an amazing experience to connect so deeply with such a huge but loving beast. You also learn a lot about Thai culture and the part elephants play in that. If you are looking for a 5 star hotel with all the amenities, this is not the place but if you are looking for some place clean and comfortable then it's perfect (and wifi is included). Besides, you are so tired from riding and looking after the elephants that at the end of the day, you just want a comfy bed which they have. Michelle and Ewa are fabulous hosts and Lexi is with you every step of the way. Safety is at the forefront of everything that they do at Elephantstay. The food is fantastic!!!! I learned some life changing lessons, got some great photos and had the experience of a life time. If you go to Thailand and are looking for an experience with elephants THIS IS THE PLACE TO GO!!!! I plan on going back many many times and bringing all my friends. I hope you love it as much as I do!!!

Elephants and people playing together in river

For this and more videos, please subscribe to our Youtube channel:  Elephantstay

Welcome back to Jenny Dickens

It is Welcome Back Wednesday and today we have a very special welcome back to Jenny Dickens who has come for the 19th time! Amazing support from a great friend! Thank you Jenny! Jenny loves to bring groups to Elephantstay through her Elephant Encounters group! Come on her next trip and enjoy looking after and learning about elephants! Rumruay is one lucky elephant having Jenny care for her!
I love coming here, the whole ethos of Elephantstay and the Foundation! It's like an extended family, both two and four legged...it's great to be part of the village, see the little elephants growing up, new babies in the village... the community spirit. I'll keep coming to support Thailand's 🐘 culture!! 

                     

St. Stephens International School

Yesterday we gave a talk about elephants to the kids at St Stephens International School. It was a lot of fun as the kids were were so enthusiastic and excited about elephants. They worked hard to give us a generous donation and support all the work the foundation does. Thank you St. Stephens! 

Our one day program in the picture!

We do offer a one day elephant program at Elephantstay (cost 5,000 Baht per person). This follows our normal longer program for elephants as described on our website. Availability is limited, so please contact us by email: info@elephantstay.com

Since 2000 we have had 70 successful births. Considering there are only 3,500 registered elephants in Thailand and limited forest for sustaining wild populations, our breeding program is vital to ensuring elephants survive into the future and that there is genetic diversity amongst the population. The majority of our mothers have given tourists rides until closer or even up to the time they give birth. Which proves how effective the socialization and exercise is to giving successful births.

Hall of Fame

Jumbo congratulations to Melissa Dowling for achieving Silver status in our Hall of Fame, as this is her tenth visit! Melissa looks after our oldest Elephant Sinuwan her dedication to her is a beautiful thing. Although we and Sinuwan do hope that watermelon will be shared 

Welcome Back Jenny

Welcome back again Jenny! 
This is Jenny's 18th time - she's been so many times now that we lost track and got it wrong for her last welcome back. Apologies Jenny and thank you for taking elephantastic care of Rumruay. Thank you also for bringing another great Elephant Encountersgroup. 

Welcome back Sigrid

Welcome back to Sigrid for the 4th time. Sigrid said, "I love the hands on #experience that #Elephantstay offers and I feel I'm really contributing to the welfare of #asianelephants. I'd rather be here than on a cruise any day." Thank you for taking care of Sinuwan! 💗🐘💗

Jenny 17 times!

Jumbo welcome back for the 17th time! Jenny is our first #ElephantstayerGold Hall of Famer! Jenny's first visit was in 2006 She looked after Loong Sap many times before her passing. It was the connection she made with Loong Sap that inspired her to form Elephant Encounters, tours giving others the same wonderful experiences that she has had. Jenny now takes care of #Rumruay and has formed a special friendship with her as well. From regular stays, fundraisers and friendship we thank Jenny for her invaluable support. 

New staff Tegan

Jumbo welcome to our newest staff member Tegan Thacker. Tegan has extensive wildlife rehab experience and most recently worked at Australia Zoo educating visitors on animal welfare and conservation. We are excited to have Tegan join our team and Elephantstay family.

Keystone students from Beijing

The visit from the Keystone Academy, Beijing, students was a big hit. It was a great opportunity to educate and give them an experience they will never forget!
Here are some more great photos and videos that they posted on their website http://www.keystoneacademy.cn/page.cfm?p=584&g=224+

Samantha about Jintara

Jintara is most recognizable by her unique ice blue eyes, and huge noggin”….built for holding that oversize, extra clever brain of hers, of course.

She’s most likely to be found munching on food, squeaking to be passed food, grumbling for more food, or stealing Rosukon”s food – Gen Y have no respect for their elders, plus, it’s hard work being such a smart cookie and knowing so many tricks.

The few minutes of the day when she’s not preoccupied by food, she’s nor-so-sneakily trying to undo her chain, or a friend’s. Come to think of it…..that’s probably another tactic to get more food!

Important news for our Blog Followers!

Starting the week of January 11, Blogger will remove the ability for people with Twitter, Yahoo, Orkut or other Open Id providers to sign in to Google Friend Connect and follow blogs. At the same time, Blogger will remove non-Google Account profiles so you will no longer be able to see the latest posts and all activity on our Blog.

If you are using a non-Google Account to follow our blog, please sign up for a Google Account, and re-follow our blog. With a Google Account, you will get blogs added to your Reading List, making it easier to see the latest posts and activity of the blogs you follow.

We hope this change will improve the experience for you all.

Opening of our White Elephant Coffee House

Since 11 november 2015 you can have a relaxing moment at Wanchang in our newest WHITE ELEPHANT COFFEE HOUSE! Come and join us for a good cup of coffee with the power of the white elephant in it!

Birth Alert No 63

  Tuesday 5th May 2015

We were thrilled to welcome our 63th successful birth. Dok Fai gave birth to a beautiful baby girl at 2pm what a thrill having our second day time birth. Pang Chaatmanee is Dok Fai's 5th baby!

You can watch the birth here

THAI NATIONAL ELEPHANT DAY MARCH 13TH

What a fantastic morning of elephants feasting and blessings. Our Elephantstayers had the privilege

of being part of this special day to honour Thailand's Elephants.

Remembering the tsunami 10 years ago.

Boxing day 10 years ago two elephants from the Kraal went down south to help recover bodies. You can see more photos and information on our website here http://www.elephantstay.com/tsunami.html

BIRTH ALERT - 7 DECEMBER 2014

Oijai gives birth to a healthy baby boy, Plai Kotchasuwan, on 7 December at 01.39am while she was away in Pattaya. This is the 61st baby born since 2000.

Elephantastic Event was a brilliant success

Jumbo thanks to Elephant Encounters and Jenny and Rob Dickens for hosting our Elephantastic Event. It was a brilliant success and we raised 4,000 dollars!! Thank you to everyone who came on the day and helped Rhonda, Helen, Barb, Michi, Rhona, Liz, Amber, Debbie, Jill, Jen, Carol, Belynda and everyone who came in support especially from interstate! Extra special thanks to Suzanne and Peter for the gorgeous book "For the love of Elephants".