Chiang Mai Tours to Maesa Elephant Camp

Tours to Maesa Elephant Camp

Go to see the elephants at Mae sa Elephant Camp. You can take an elephant ride, feed the elephants and peek them as they act.

This area of the Maesa valley is hearth to the biggest assembly of habitual elephants in northern Thailand. Historically, these animals were used as workers in the transportation and logging business, but the Maesa Elephant Camp works to train, propagate species and protects the Thai elephant population. The camp houses nearly eighty Asian elephants, recognize by their flecked ears.

The Mae Sa Elephant Camp has a high fertility rate, which a good sign that the elephants are mentally and socially athletic. You will observe some of the countryside. The park itself is very clean and the Elephants are well taken care of. Take the opportunity to go to see up close with the elephants and their mahout before the show. You will be able to have your pictures taken and get a kiss. Have a wipe on hand, but defiantly don't miss it.

Their philosophy is to create a normal and healthy scene for the elephants while working to protects and propagate species them, due to the dwindling number of Asian elephants left in the forest. Maesa Elephant Camp provide elephant demonstrations and elephant riding.

Apart from day visits, you can try out the basic mahout training course if you feel compelled to learn more deeply into the elephant’s nature. During a memorable farewell ceremony, all participants will receive a certificate of achievement to take homeland and cherish.

The Mae sa Elephant camp provides the most educational and entertaining Elephant show in northern Thailand say the Guinness Book of World Records 2005.

Opening Hours :  shows run at 8 a.m., 9:40 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. daily.
Admission costs : 200 Thai Baht, and elephant rides cost 1,200 Baht for number one hour and 800 Baht for thirty  minutes.
Location : Mae Rim-Samoeng Road (km. 18) Tel: +66 (0)53 206 247, +66 (0)53 206 248

Perfect meeting! Our elephant guide was truly dedicated to taking care of thse fabulous animals. The show is extremely entertaining and elephant safari was a once in a lifetime feel challenging! Don't miss out!

You can booked a car with driver for hire at one of the many travel agecy in Chianag Mai city town on the main street. The Maesa elephant camp is about 40 minute drive away from Chiang Mai on the journey north to Maerim.

Tour to White Temple a Piece Of Art

Tour to White Temple Chiang Rai

White temple one of the best masterpieces of modern architecture

The city of Chiang Rai in northernmost Thailand is one of the remaining areas where traditional Thai art and culture flourish.

Located near the city of Chiang Rai, about 5 kilometers to the south, is the beautiful Wat Rong Khun or White Temple. The White Temple of Northern Thailand has become a national landmark and, as one of the most recognizable temples in the country, attracts an increasingly large number of visitors every year.

Wat Rong Khun or White Temple is unique from other temples in that it has been constructed entirely in a radiant white color with sparking reflections from mirrored glass mosaics embedded in the white plaster. The temple is the idea of Mr. Chalermchai Kositpipat, one of Thailand most renowned artists, who wanted to build a temple all in white to signify the purity of Lord Buddha. The artist continues to puts his religious belief and desire to enrich Buddhism in Thailand into his contemporary art design.

The construction of the White Temple is Khun Chalemchai master work, which he refers to as an offering to Lord Buddha and his beloved country.

To approach the main entrance to the main chapel, I assume must signify a kind of passage to enlightenment because this is how I feel approaching the temple. The passage is flanked by two tremendous man-like giants who somehow frighten me until I have to lower my eyes. But this doesn’t help me at all, as those grasping hands near the floor shake my nerves again. The hands are in assorted array, outstretched and seem to be pleading. I realize that this piece of art must symbolize hell and how people in hell will suffer from their bad karma.

While climbing the bridge to the main hall, I notice that I am surrounded by a huge pond containing white fishes and fountains that spout up every now and then. The pond, to me, perhaps signifies the river Si Tarndon that divides the mundane world from heaven. As I get closer to the main building I think that this must be a representation of heaven.

Before the main chapel and at the end of the bridge there are several sculptures of meditating Buddha sitting in a lotus circled by spirits of the world. The outer-decoration of the temple hall is all white color representing purity and wisdom of Lord Buddha, however, a dramatic contrast of color is found when arriving inside the main hall. I feel a sense of serenity when looking at a several Buddha altars set inside golden flame.

The walls are painted with a colorful larger than life story related to Buddhist and teaching in a very modern and contemporary style. The artist uses icons from modern culture and through space ships, super man, and even Neo from the Matrix movie he tells of the story of Buddha in this very unique display.

On the left of the temple compound is a golden toilet which Chalermchai seems to also use to transfer some hidden message to visitors. It is as though he is saying, I want this golden toilet to be a symbol of the human response to imagery. I am one of the many who paused to consider what may be the artist message. Perhaps the message is also that there is beauty in all things, just like this golden toilet which impresses people by its beauty rather than the fact that it is just a toilet.

Wat Rong Khun is still a work in progress and will be for years to come. It is planned to comprise nine buildings including the ubosot (chapel), pagoda, hermitage, crematorium, monastery hall, preaching hall, museum, pavilion, and rest room facilities which will be built on an area of 7 rai (about 3 acres).

How to get to the Wat Rong Khun

Approx 200 kms. From Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai by bus. And the most convenient bus is the Green Bus, which runs from Arcade Bus Station. This is located at the far end of Kaeo Narawat Road, near where it joins the superhighway. To get to the bus station, just jump on a songthaew, which should cost around 50 baht per person from central Chiang Mai. The VIP bus from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai costs 288 baht for a single journey. There aren’t any trains running between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai.

When Arive Chiang Rai, There are two bus station in Chiang Rai – a new station on the outskirts of town, and the old station in the town center near the night bazaar. There is a local bus that departs from platform 8 of the old bus station in the town center. Just tell the driver or conductor that you want to get off at Wat Rong Khun, and they will make sure the bus stops there. It’s a 13 km journey from town and costs 20 baht per person. They will drop you off on the side of a dual carriageway, and the temple is on the opposite side, around 100 meters away. Be very careful when crossing the road, as there isn’t any pedestrian crossing there.

Otherway more comfortable you can contact Travel Agency in Chiang Mai, they can provide a private car to Chiang Rai with air condition for your group or budget tour Chiang Mai day Trips to Chiang Rai combine with other important place in Chianr Rai for one day.

Entrance fee & opening hours

The White Temple is opened every day from 6.30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The gallery is opened from Monday— Friday from 8 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. / Saturday-Sunday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.