Elephant Tourism in Thailand

There’s this picture that my dad kept on his hard drive for quite some time and while I don’t necessarily recall all the contents and the story behind the photo, I vaguely remember experiencing it. 

I remember climbing up some steps with my dad and waiting in queue on a platform, as if it were some attraction in an amusement park. Overcome with apprehension and overwhelmed by the humidity, I felt the butterflies in my stomach slowly rise. I could hear the excitement and awe of the people ahead, and periodically, I’d hear the sound of a trumpeting toot; however, my short legs didn’t allow me to peer ahead. I anxiously waited for my turn.

As I neared the front of the line, I suddenly saw what my dad had gotten me into. The seat was large, but rickety-looking. It was constructed out of teak wood and held together by some ropes. The staff at the front of the line directed my dad to get on first and help me up after. The ride operator then made sure we were securely fastened and ready to go. All of a sudden, we were ready to go and were moving at a slow and steady pace. Its large ears gently flapped while its heavy footsteps made the earth below it tremble. My ride suddenly made the trumpeting sound I had heard earlier in line. 

It was my very first elephant ride.

My dad and I take a ride on an elephant in the mountains of Northern Thailand.

Elephants have a very unique and complex history in Thailand and hold a very lucrative presence within the growing wildlife tourism industry of the country. With tourism alone accounting for one-fifth of Thailand’s total GDP, it’s no wonder why elephants are constantly and continuously abused and exploited for purposes of monetary gain. 

Listen to my podcast below and explore what exactly the wildlife tourism industry is along with expert input on the current state of the industry. We’ll hear from National Geographic reporters like Natasha Daly and animal cognition experts like Joshua Plotnik and explore the psychology and appeal of such an industry.

My hope is that by knowing more about how the industry has originated and how it functions, we may learn to become more responsible and mindful tourists, not just in Thailand, but around the globe.

Consider supporting journalism that shines a light on the exploitation of wildlife by donating to Wildlife Watch.