Thai Elephant Conservation Center

The centre at Hang Chat is government-run, under the Forest Industry Organisation, and it exists for reasons beyond visitors. It houses the National Elephant Institute, operates Thailand's first and principal elephant hospital - treating animals from across the country for landmine injuries, illness and the consequences of overwork - runs a mahout training school, and cares for the royal white elephants in the King's Stable. Elephants that worked in logging before the 1989 ban were left without employment and many ended up here. The public side includes bathing, feeding, demonstrations of the commands mahouts use, and a mahout homestay programme where visitors train for one to several days. Elephant painting and riding have been part of the offering historically, and both attract criticism - the painting in particular is a trained behaviour with no benefit to the animal. The hospital work is the strongest reason to support the place.

What you actually see

• The elephant hospital - Thailand's principal facility, treating animals from across the country.
• The mahout school - training programmes, including homestays for visitors.
• The royal stables - where the white elephants are kept.
• The logging legacy - animals left without work after the 1989 ban.

When to go

November to February. Demonstrations and bathing run to a daily schedule - check times. Half a day; mahout homestays run one to several days and need booking.

Honest expectations

Riding and painting demonstrations have featured here and are criticised on welfare grounds - the painting is a trained behaviour of no benefit to the elephant. The hospital and rescue work are the substantive part. Ticketed, with programmes charged separately.

Nearby

Lampang town is south-east; Chiang Mai is north-west on the same highway.