A SAFE NEW WORLD FOR ELEPHENTS
The Pattaya Elephant Village is much more than just a tourist attraction. Here it is possible to study the lifestyle and training of working elephants from staff and actually enjoy a trek on elephants through nearby villages and farmland.
The Elephant Village was opened in 1973 as a sanctuary for former working elephants. It provides these magnificent creatures with a safe haven, where they may live out their lives with dignity and freedom from fear.
The Elephant Village is a private company, which runs on a non-profit basis and receives neither government support, nor sponsorship from large companies or international organisations. It offers visitors a number of excursions, which will demonstrate a long established part of the rural way of life in Thailand.
The principle event is the Elephant Show, which takes place every afternoon between 1430 and 1600. The show begins with a display of essential animal hygiene, in which the elephant mahouts lead their charges through bathing techniques in a local pond. A demonstration of former training methods that were used to train elephants to work in the forest hauling logs. These demonstrations are followed by the re-enactment of an ancient ceremony, which was performed by teams of mahouts, known as the Glong Sabad Chai.
This is a very old ceremony, in which the elephant mahouts dress in old-style military uniforms and accompany a war elephant dressed in traditional style. Visitors will have an opportunity to take short rides on the elephants. This daily afternoon educational session costs Bt500 per person.
The Elephant Village also offers visitors a choice of two trekking excursions. The first excursion is a one-hour elephant trek, which takes place four times daily, at 0900, 1030, 1230 and 1600.
Visitors, sitting securely on a seat strapped to the elephant’s back, journey through bush and forest. A mahout accompanies them throughout the trip. They stop at the Silk House to see the cultivation and processing of raw silk and witness silk weaving on a traditional handloom. On returning to the village, by four-wheel drive Land Rover, visitors can enjoy complimentary fruits in season. The price is Bt900 per person.
The second excursion is a combination trek, which takes place, twice daily at 1030 and 1600, and lasts approximately three hours and 30 minutes. It begins with an elephant trek similar to the one detailed above but includes a 30-minute accompanied walk in a forest or jungle area together with a stop at the Silk House, to see the cultivation and processing of raw silk and witness silk weaving on a traditional hand loom.
Visitors then travel to a nearby lake, where they can relax as rafts take them across the water. Oxcarts wait at the shore to transfer the group back to the village, where they will have a home cooked buffet lunch or dinner. Visitors will then take a transfer bus back to their hotels. This trek cost Bt1,800.
The Elephant Village also offers a four-wheel drive safari, including a meal at the close of the trip. On this safari, visitors travel to an unspoiled area on the outskirts of Pattaya for one hour in a four-wheeled drive vehicle. Here they will be able to see pineapple and tapioca plantations, tropical gardens and even a teak forest. At the end of the safari, visitors return to the village where they can enjoy a home cooked meal. The cost of the safari is Bt800.
All prices include pick-up and return in an air-conditioned minivan. A staff photographer and video cameraman records the treks. Copies of the photographs and the video are available for purchase.
Pattaya Elephant Village is located around 7 km off the Sukhumvit Road. Turn left at the 144.5-kilometre sign to the Siam Country Club Road. Turn right at the intersection about 4 km from the Sukhumvit road.
For more details, tel (038) 249-853, 249-818, email: info@elephant-village-pattaya.com, www.elephant-village-pattaya.com. Mobile 081-811-4249, 081-295-7231, 081-865-7745.
NONG NOOCH TROPICAL BOTANICAL GARDEN
Heading east, 15 min from the centre of Pattaya, near Bang Saray is Nong Nooch for those who want to take in a cultural show.
Located at km marker 163, on 1300 rai of rolling hills and valleys, and coconut plantations, three shows are schedule daily. Some prefer to vist the village on their own. The village is 3 km off the main highway on a private road.
The morning show at Nong Nooch begins at 1015 and the afternoon at 1500 and 1545. Elephants go through the same acts you see at the Funny Elephant plus Thai classical dances.
A private man-made lake for rowing and other highlight. There is a miniature open zoo and aviary. Browse through an orchid farm. Two restaurants, one Thai and the other Western serve food and beverages.
Overnight accommodation is available for those who with to spend a few days there. A package of a half day tour costs Bt500. Morning tour departs at 0900 and evening tour starts at 1300. Information website: www.nongnoochtropical.com
Tel: (038) 429-321, 422-958.
MINI SIAM
Pattaya’s Mini Siam is home to miniature replicas of the world’s man-made wonders. Walk through the park and you can have your picture taken alongside Paris’ Eiffel Tower, New York’s Statue of Liberty, Sydney’s Opera house and the temples of Thailand. Mini Siam operates a transfer service from Pattaya hotels three times a day 1000, 1300 and 1600. Tel: 038 421 628.
ANEK KUSALA SALA (VIHARNRA SIEN)
Anek Kusala Sala (Viharnra Sien), or Ta Pu Yie in Chinese, was constructed in 1988 under the guidance of Sanga Kulkobkiat. His Majesty the King granted a 7-rai plot of land in the Wat Yansangwararam Royal Project in Chonburi province for the temple.
Viharnra Sien means “gods’ living place” and Anek Kusala Sala “multipurpose pavilion”. The complex was built at a cost of some Bt220 million.
Viharnra Sien was constructed for the Thai-Chinese population in the region. It was officially opened by His Majesty the King as a Royal Project on 24 December 1993. The exhibitions and decorations housed within are designed to represent a harmonious blend of Thai and Chinese art and culture.
As well as a place of worship, Viharnra Sien is also a museum – the Chinese government provided over 300 display items to Mr Sanga for permanent exhibition. Other items were given by the Thai community and from those overseas.
The entrance fee to Anek Kusala Sala is Bt50 per person, except for priests, students and government officials in uniform who are granted free entrance. Location: 1000 Moo 11 Huy-Yai, Banglamung, Chonburi. Tel: (038) 238-367.
SEA CHARTERS
Daily, weekend and longer sailing charters are available through the sundowner Sailing Service (038) 423-686, ext 2050.
Trips consist of visits to local islands such as Ko Lin, Ko Phai, Ko Sichang and Ko Larn. Longer charters to Ko Samet, across the Gulf to Hua Hin, Ko Samui and the islands near Samaesan are popular.
Sleeping accommodation onboard is available and equipment such as snorkel gear, fishing equipment, windsurfing boards and sails are also provided on request. Overnight camping gear is also available for those who want to spend time on the islands.
THE ROMANCE OF THE THREE KINGDOMS
Located at 100 Moo 9, Tambon Pong, Banglamung, right next to another property of the family – the Horseshoe Point Resort & Country Club. Highlights of the theme park are sophisticated murals and imported artefacts conveying accounts of the Chinese immortal epic of “Samkok”, or the Three Kingdoms in ancient Chinese story-telling.
Also the amazing petrified wood located in the garden and a huge marble shrine of the Chinese goddess “Kuan Im”. The park is open Mondays to Fridays from 1000 to 1700 and Saturdays and Sundays from 1000 to 1800. Admission fee is Bt150 for adults and Bt80 for children. For group booking, contact Tel: 038 421428-9.
KHAO KHEOW OPEN ZOO
Khao Kheow Open Zoo with 1,200 acres of forest and natural beauty is one of the largest zoos in Asia. There’s also an aviary, second in size only to Singapore’s that draws bird watching enthusiasts who catch glimpses of rare Asian species. Forests, waterfalls and wildlife are distinctive features of organised tours.
The Chanta Then waterfalls, 7 km down the road from the zoo’s entrance, is a landmark. The basic open zoo excursion is offered by travel agents at approximately Bt400 per person. Out: 0730. Return: 1300.
|
