Chiang Mai is the best place in Thailand to meet elephants responsibly, but the choice of camp matters enormously. Look for genuine welfare-focused, no-riding sanctuaries, the best known being Elephant Nature Park in the Mae Taeng valley, founded by the conservationist Lek Chailert, where rescued elephants (along with dogs, cats, and buffalo) live out their days rather than being ridden or made to perform. A visit typically means observing, feeding, and walking alongside the herd, sometimes helping at a mud bath, all under the eye of mahouts and guides. Most parks lie one to two hours from the city in the surrounding hills, and half or full-day visits usually include hotel transfers and a meal. Book ahead, since the reputable places fill up, and read carefully: avoid anywhere offering elephant rides, painting, or circus tricks, and be wary of camps that simply add the word ethical to their name. Wear clothes and shoes you do not mind getting muddy.
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