Bangkok Day 3: Elephants and Floating Market

Hey Hive! It's another blog about our Bangkok trip on October 2023. Today, allow me to share with you two of our remaining itinerary for our 3rd full day in Bangkok. Actually, this was our last full day in the city as the next day, we were going back to the Philippines.

Here are some of the previous blogs:

• Bangkok Day 1: Ancient City, Three-Headed Elephant, and Coconut Coffee
• Bangkok's Ancient City Video Tour
• Erawan Museum
• Bam Nam Phueng Floating Market
• The Berkeley Hotel Breakfast Buffet
• The Berkeley Hotel Pratunam Room Tour
• Bangkok Day 2: Ramakien Murals and Grand Palace Garden
• Bangkok Day 2: Strolling Through Icon Siam
• Bangkok Day 2: Late Dinner and then Rain at the Chao Phraya Princess River Cruise
• Bangkok Day 3: Life-Risking Train Market in Maeklong

When we got into the van after our experience at the Maeklong train station, we were hungry. Thank goodness we brought snacks so we could let the kids and the seniors eat inside the van. The driver also prepared bottled water for us, which we really appreciated.

We reached the Chang Puak Camp in Damnoen Saduak for the elephant riding experience. We were all excited, especially the kids, as we had hyped this big time. As we went inside, we headed straight to the restaurant next to the camp for lunch. We ordered, and it took a little bit of time. While waiting, we tried to discern if we should pursue riding the elephants because upon coming into the entrance, we saw the elephants, and they looked pitiful.

In Chang Puak Camp, they got a couple of packages to choose from. Here are the options:

Package A (1,400 BAHT)

• Elephant Riding
• TV adventure
• Gun Shooting

Package B (1,600 BAHT)

• Elephant Riding
• Elephant show
• Crocodile show

Package C (1,100 BAHT)

• Elephant Riding
• Crocodile Show
• Gun Shooting

Package D (1,900 BAHT)

• Elephant Riding
• Liger Act (Bengal Tiger)
• Karen Long Neck Village

You can also choose just one activity at a different rate. For the Elephant riding, it costs 500 BAHT.

After having lunch, we checked the Elephants. They got a juvenile elephant in another section, and it seemed to be being trained for the job. Then we found a platform where the guests could climb, and that's where the elephants are brought, with seats at their backs so the guests could get into them and sit.

The camp allows observing and feeding the elephants. At this point, we were still trying to decide if we should pursue riding the elephant. I know it would be fun as the tour includes a walk into some kind of jungle in the camp and then even passing by a river of some sort, so I believe the kids will enjoy and we will too!

But as we looked into the eyes of those elephants that had just arrived after the tour. Their eyes showed how sad they were, not sure if that's just how they look or if they do show emotions too. I somehow felt guilty about the thought of being carried by these creatures. Yes, they were huge indeed, but they looked absolutely pitiful as the drivers were holding what seemed to be a whip.

I bet they do use that stick to hurt the elephants when they go the other way or do not follow the rider. I wonder if the weight on their backs has any effects on their health, and I also wondered why the elephants are somehow exploited here while being worshipped at the Pink museum. It's just contradicting.

Now we figured we could also feed them, so we ended up deciding not to ride but just feed them. One bunch of bananas costs 100 BAHT, and so we bought a few and fed the elephants!

While we thought it was not as much fun, we were absolutely wrong! Feeding these giants was fun in fact! My little one got a little bit scared at first, but eventually got over it as soon as the elephant showed its trunk and somehow looked like asking for the bunch of bananas.

He got so invested that he even ignored our request to get a family picture with the elephants at the back as he was still looking at them!

They use their trunk to grab the fruits, and then they'll bring them to their mouths. They looked like they were already tamed for people to come next to them and feed. While it was a little scary at first, I got over it right away too! It was fun, and I reckon that was a better option; we saved money, we saved time, plus we fed some hungry elephants! We hit three birds with one stone!

Watch our video here:

J U N E B R I D E
_{Boholana | Cebu | Philippines | Travel | Photography Enthusiast | Calligraphy | Art
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