Work with Elephants
Elephant Adventure
For 2010 Starfish has designed a completely new Elephant Adventure project for volunteers. Combining working with the elephants, community based projects and learning how life operates in rural Thailand. From day one you will be submerged in genuine Thai life and experience the world famous Thai hospitality firsthand.
Volunteers will spend 3 nights each week living in the home of the host family in the village returning to Surin on Thursday afternoon. You will live as a Thai, learning techniques such as traditional Thai fishing, kayaking, planting crops, farming and more. Each day you will also have the opportunity to learn to ride, control, feed and wash the elephants, guided by the Mahout (Elephant Handler). Weather permitting you may also have the opportunity to ride the elephants to the river for a swim in the afternoon – a truly unforgettable experience. Evenings in the village you will learn Thai cooking skills as you will help prepare meals for your fellow volunteers and your host family.
The village is typical of rural life in Thailand, far from the usual tourist route where a genuinely warm and friendly welcome is waiting for you. Whether you choose a 1, 2, 3 or 4 week placement you will have an amazing time and your memories will last forever.
- Fact File
- Location
- Schedule
| Location: | Surin |
| Arrival Airport: | Bangkok |
| Arrival Dates: | 10 Feb, 9 Mar, 6 Apr, 11 May, 8 Jun, 13 Jul, 10 Aug, 7 Sep, 12 Oct, 2 Nov, 7 Dec |
| Availability: | All year |
| Cost: | 1 week £400, 2 weeks £500, 3 weeks £600, 4 weeks £700 |
| What is Included: | Airport pick up and transfers, Bangkok stopover, journey to location, accommodation, local coordinator |
| What you need to arrange: | International flight, visa, vaccinations, food, expenses |
Surin is located in the Northeast of Thailand, about 7 hours from Bangkok. It can be reached by bus or by train from the capital or from the North of the country. From Surin it is only one hour to the border crossing with Cambodia.
Surin and Northeast Thailand are a little off the tourist radar, but you will be rewarded when you visit, as you will get to experience the real, untouched Thailand. There are many local bars, shops and restaurants in the town plus a night food market. Surin is an extremely safe place to stay.
Surin once belonged to the Khmer empire so you will find scattered ancient temples from the same period as the temples of Angkor in Cambodia. Surin is now most famous for the annual elephant festival that takes place in November. The elephants are well treated in this region and the mahouts are proud of their standard of care.
The countryside surrounding Surin has many places of interest to visit including silk, silver and basket villages, where you can buy authentic locally made goods. Our volunteers in Surin are provided with bikes to explore Surin and the surrounding region, so you will have time to visit all of these places if you wish.
Surin has a bus and train station, so there are many ways to travel to and from the region. Easily reached from Surin include Khao Yai National Park, the Cambodia border and rural Thailand further Northeast for the more intrepid traveller.
Surin has a bus and train station, so there are many ways to travel to and from the region.
Volunteers work a 4 day week with the long weekend to relax or travel. On volunteer days our staff will pick you up in the mornings and take you to your project. Your pick up time will about 8am and you will back at your accommodation 3-4pm. Our staff work alongside you translating and supporting you throughout your day.