On a serious note

To anyone that visits Thailand, particularly Chiangmai, and decides they want an Elephant experience than I have a suggestion.......
The Elephants are very exploited here and are treated rather poorly and I feel rather ashamed to say that I was one of the millions of tourist that helped this along.
There is an Elephant sanctuary just out of Chiangmai that you can spend a day at and help care for the elephants. A Thai lady has dedicated her time and money to buying Elephants, of all ages, who are badly treated and injured and placed them in her sanctuary to recover and live a good life. She has escaped many death threats but unfortunately a few of her elephants have not. Angry locals have killed one or two of her elephants as she threatens to stop the poor treatment and exploitation of the elephants.
The day you spend at the sanctuary involves you helping feed, bath and play with the 35 or so Elephants. It's more costly than a ride on one but the money is put back into maintaining the sanctuary. I wish I had spent my money better!! There is no riding these creatures but my friends Mel and Andy said the experience they had far outweighs a ride on the back of one.
I will definitely return to Chiangmai to do a day with the Elephants.
Andy and Mel have decided as a 40th birthday present to each other they will buy an elephant for the sanctuary and save a big life!! They have a few years to start saving!!
The sanctuary also has the tallest Elephant in Thailand and he's funny to look at... Big skinny legged male who is cared for by none other than an Aussie.

Just a thought!