Thom’s Elephant Camp, the first of its kind in Thailand, invites you to connect with majestic elephants in a unique way. Growing up alongside these gentle giants, Thom has cultivated a deep understanding of their needs and behaviors. Visitors can engage in unforgettable treks, playful interactions, and refreshing swims in the river with the elephants. Our Mahout Training Courses provide hands-on experience in elephant care, covering communication methods, feeding, bathing, and more. In addition to unforgettable elephant experiences, guests can relax in beautiful bungalows or indulge in our mineral hot tub and spa retreat. Thom’s focus on organic farming complements the immersive experience of exploring nature and learning about sustainable practices. Witness breathtaking mountain and river treks, making each moment special. Join us at Thom’s Elephant Camp for an unforgettable adventure filled with compassion and connection to these magnificent creatures.
Thom’s Elephant Camp stands as a pioneering establishment in Thailand, renowned for allowing visitors to trek with, interact with, and swim alongside elephants in the serene river. Thom, raised amidst these majestic beings, shares an extraordinary bond cultivated from childhood, imparting the joys of spending quality time with these incredible animals. Thom’s father, a seasoned trainer, instilled a wealth of knowledge that has been passed down through generations, emphasizing the importance of understanding and respecting elephants.
At Thom’s camp, the emphasis is on experiential learning, featuring comprehensive Mahout Training Courses designed for those who wish to deepen their connection with elephants. Participants are introduced to the nuances of elephant care, including the verbal and body language necessary for effective communication. This engaging training involves hands-on practices, teaching skills such as how to ride, play, feed, bathe, and nurture these gentle giants.
The camp also boasts charming bungalows that provide a tranquil retreat for guests, complemented by a mineral hot tub and spa services for the ultimate relaxation experience. Emphasizing sustainability, Thom’s incorporates organic farming practices that harmonize with the natural environment, offering a holistic approach to wildlife care.
Visitors can embark on breathtaking sightseeing tours, discovering the stunning landscapes that surround the camp. The majestic mountain vistas and the calming river treks create lasting memories, leaving participants with a profound appreciation for the beauty of nature and the significance of elephant conservation. At Thom’s Elephant Camp, each adventure fosters a genuine bond between humans and elephants, creating unforgettable experiences embedded in compassion and respect.
ทอม ปาย เอเลเฟน แคมป์ (ไทย) - รีวิว - ThailandAgoda.com
Attractions
6 miles
0.00 miles
0.65 miles
0.84 miles
0.91 miles
2.77 miles
2.78 miles
2.86 miles
2.92 miles
3.15 miles
3.19 miles
Thom’s Pai Elephant Camp is perched on a picturesque hilltop overlooking 5/3 M.4 Rungsiyanon Road, 58130, Thailand
These elephants are the best! So easy to approach because they have been raised with so much love. Been back here several times and stay longer every time. Nice bungalows or basic clean rooms for rent. In familiar atmosphere and in touch with the elephants every day
Great, experience, no riding on them, and when it was time to head to the river, the elephants, let them selves out of the holding area, quite impressive. The guide and his team, gave great information, and the Elephants basically ran the trip, to the river, at their pace. So all in all 5 stars, it’s about the elephants, not customers. Well worth it!
This was amazing. But foremost is amazing to see that these two lady’s (elephants) are treated like queens. Some people see other elephants mistreated in the area and give Toms pai elephant a bad review. Go look for yourself, support them, give a donation. If everyone looked after animals like they do, there wouldn’t be any mistreatment around the world.Also, thank you Ike, you’re an amazing tourguide. They’re lucky to have you. I hope to see the lady’s again very soon. 🤍
Thom’s was wonderful. Clearly, she loves her 2 elephants and cannot fault the place at all. Booked into our little hut, which was basic but clean and comfortable, then walked down to the river with the elephants for a swim. They obviously loved it as much as we did! We both loved it and would definitely go again!
Couldn’t recommend this place enough. All the people who work there are great and really nice!! The elephants seem really happy and are looked after well. The bad reviews on here are not actually about this camp they are about one across the road. The one day course gave us a great insight into the work the mahouts do.
The elephants were incredible and so interactive with us. The staff were all brilliant and looked after the elephants very well.I would recommend coming to Thom’s elephant camp.
We did a sunset trek to the river with the elephants where we could help bathe them and watch them play in the water. We then got to trek alongside them up to the mountain where they sleep. We spent over two hours privately with the elephants and it was beautiful watching the sunset behind the mountains as the elephants settled in for the night. We stayed over in a bungalow and in the morning got to hear them trumpet as they came down from their mountain sleeping area. A lovely experience with these well cared for gentle giants. Thom and her mahouts do a great job.
As a visitor and also someone who has read reviews about Thom’s, I want to share my perspective. I visited Thom’s elephants ten years ago and was happy to again find the Girls happy and healthy! My wife and I did an overnight with the elephants, playing and trekking with them accompanied by Thom and two Mahouts. I know people comment on using tools to encourage the elephants to stay on course or follow commands, but they are like children and need instruction. We NEVER saw any abuse of any kind and mere observation tells you these elephants are loved, well-fed and cared for. From the cleanliness of their environment, to the condition of their skin, their quality of attention is obvious We took them to the river, helped bathe and cool them off. (Since they do not sweat and share our body temperature, laying down is helpful). We trekked with them to the nearby hillside where they ate and bedded down overnight and In the morning, they enthusiastically came home. The shaded enclosure in which you find them during the day is not their sole habitat by any means. I think people make assumptions, but a chat with Thom and personal experience in sharing their day will demonstrate otherwise. These elephants were not purchased for your entertainment or to make money. Thom inherited these elephants from her father, and his father before him. They are family. They live long lives and are an enormous responsibility. They are costly to care for and your experience fee helps make that possible. A visit with them will show their playfulness, amusing stubbornness, and childlike nature. Our experience moved us greatly.
It wasn’t what I thought I had paid for.The elephants were poked incessantly to lay down in the river for our little group to bathe a take photos with them.It took about 10 minutes of poking and harassment to get them to lay down when they clearly didn’t want to.And I said to the lovely man they we don’t mind that they don’t lie down please stop trying to make them. He just gave me a funny look.I was not impressed.I PAY, for a non cruelty experience. Tourists don’t care that and elephant doesn’t lie down in a river. They are just so amazed and honoured to be next to one in a river.I thought it was a place where coercion and physical cruelty wasn’t practiced.I was wrong. So note to those running the joint.Don’t poke the elephants.We DON’T want to see that let alone pay to watch and experience it.As the other in the group stood and watched. The more the staff poked as they felt they were holding us up.When the blunt stick didn’t work, he got out a sharpened one.
We had an incredible experience at Thom’s camp. The 2-hour sunset walk with the elephants was just what we wanted, and had the best time ever!! Washing them in the river was such a good experience and walking up to the top of the hill the scenery was beautiful. Thom and the rest of the crew were so hospitable and welcoming, and went above and beyond. We stayed the night and the bungalow was lovely and the breakfast the next morning was really tasty, it was fresh fruit which we ended up feeding the rest we couldn’t eat and the scraps to the elephants. You can very clearly see how happy the elephants are and they are treated just like pets! Would recommend Thom’s elephant camp 100%!!