I was unsure about visiting an Elephant Camp during my stay in Chiang Mai following the stories I’d heard about how poorly they’re treated. After 8 months of deliberation I decided it was something I wanted to experience, but only at a camp that focussed on the regeneration of these endangered and truly majestic creatures.

A local Thai friend of mine hadn’t yet visited a new camp setup by The Karen People of Melakee, but trusted the guide that invited us out there.

Our 2 hour journey in a 4x4 traveling west out of Chiang Mai took us on motorway, main road, narrow lane, and finally dirt track through deep rainforest. We passed rice paddies, avocado farms and orange tree fields along the way, to arrive at the small remote village of Paakhanai in the area of Melakee in the lush green mountains of Northern Thailand. We were in the middle of nowhere — it was quite glorious.