The former Kingdom of Siam is home to around seven thousand elephants, and the elephant population in Asia has been classified as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation due to its dwindling numbers. This phenomenon is primarily due to problems with their habitat as well as conflict with humans in terms of crops. However, elephant trekking camps are a widespread phenomenon on the island and tourists residing in Phuket luxury hotels often opt to visit and mingle with these friendly giants during their vacation.
While resorts such as Anantara Phuket Villas organises visits for tourists who wish to do so, others can simply contact one of the elephant trekking camps and pay a visit. Phuket hosts around twenty camps and are supervised by the Asian Elephant Foundation of Thailand since 1994. Therefore, tourists are spoilt for choice when deciding on an elephant trekking tour.
One such elephant trekking camp is Siam Safari located in Chalong on the road to Phuket Big Buddha which offers tourists with the option of a thirty or forty five minute trek as well as a number of full day tours with a myriad of activities. Another camp is found on Patong Beach and is called the Safari Elephant Club which is perfect for tourists who wish to have a scenic trek. The Safari Elephant Club offers elephant trekking tours that take you to the mountain and treat you to a stunning view of Relax Bay.
While a number of other elephant camps exist, a word of caution must be made. Given the need for conservation and ensuring the continued existence of this species, it is important that tourists take care when they visit Elephant Camps in Phuket. Tourists can ensure that elephants are not abused by refraining from purchasing ivory products, supporting state facilitated elephant hospitals that provide care and support, and refraining from becoming patrons of poorly maintained camps.
Nigel Walters is a travel writer, who writes under the pen name, Fritzjames Stephen. His content is based on the myriad of experiences and indulgences that the world has to offer travellers across all walks of life.
