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Elephant Trekking on Koh Lanta Island

Elephant Trekking in Thailand is a growing industry as more and more logging elephants are becoming redundant, and justifyably so, their use in logging camps. For the past years mahouts and their elephants have been drifting southwards to Phuket, Krabi and Koh Lanta Island to start a new life in Thailands southern provinces providing trekking tours through the jungle foliage at several tourist destinations.

The Elephants living conditions are far better than they ever had been in the logging camps that they slaved away up in the north of Thailand. If you want to take a ride on one of the majestic beasts, you can do so in the mountains above Phra Ae Beach, at the entrance road to the Tiger Cave and at Klong Jark Bay.

Elephants in Thailand have always been an important part of Thai culture and the Thai way of life. They are a traditional symbol of Royal power and an essential feature of Buddhist art and architecture. Elephants are a spiritual mentor for people from all walks of life, have always performed the most exacting physical tasks, have always been well loved but, dare we say it, not always well treated.

In the early part of this century, elephants roamed freely and in mass throughout Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. Prior to the 18th century they were the main vehicle of war in Southeast Asia. A Thai King of the late 17th century had 20,000 war elephants trained for battle.

Elephants working in the tourist areas certainly enjoy a better lifestyle than those in the logging camps of the past and if you would really like to ride one of these magnificent beasts, you can do so on Koh Lanta Island.

An extensive story about elephants can be found in the 2007 edition of the "Lanta Magazine". Please click here.

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