Time to make arrangements.........................
How to get there: Sorry, I forgot to note the GPS co-ordinates while I was there
![Embarassed :oops:](./images/smilies/icon_redface.gif)
What you need: A powerful camera (probably with tri-pod). I don't have either. A pair of binoculars (your guide will lend you hers if you don't have a pair).
Opening Times: 2pm to 6pm
Cost: Park entrance 200 Baht for Farangs and 40 Baht for Thais. Thais over 60 are free. There were 4 Farangs in our party, each holding a Thai driving licence. Initially they weren't interested in our driving licences, but Mrs BB explained that we were long time residents of Thailand, and eventually they charged us all 40 Baht each. Hire of pick-up, driver and guide 850 Baht.
Food & Drink: - There is nothing at the park entrance whatsoever. However, if you drive back to where the road forks and turn right there is a small Thai eatery about 3Km on the left. Decent food, clean and cheap.
There is very little at the park entrance, but the toilets are Western and clean.
Because of the recent foot & mouth outbreak, our truck had to drive through a disinfectant bath, and we had to walk through a shallower disinfectant bath. Ladies, don't wear fancy shoes that will fall apart at this stage.
We climbed on board our chariot and were on our way. There were 7 of us (including our guide) in the back of a pick-up. The roads were dirt tracks, and we even went off road proper a few times (when I do that Mrs BB screams in my ear, today she was quiet). Our guide, who only spoke Thai was very informative as we drove along the bumpy road.
Unfortunately we weren't seeing any of the 250 elephants that we had come to see. First stop was at a ranger sub-station to find out where the elephants were hiding. There might have been a coffee shop here, but we didn't have time to really find out.
Initially the ranger there said they had reports of elephants heading that way, but that rumour proved to be without foundation. We spotted this little chap to amuse us while we were waiting.
In a quick about turn, we were informed that only one elephant had been seen all day, and it was unlikely we would see one today. We drove offroad to where the beast had been spotted, but nothing.
Our guide's walkie talkie sprung into life, and we were off. When we arrived, a ranger was standing there with a gun which had a very big barrel. He pointed in the general direction. We couldn't see anything with the naked eye. I stood in the back of the truck, and could see through my binoculars a flapping ear. We all disembarked, and headed across some very rough ground until we were only about a million miles from the beasts. There was minimal chance of capturing a decent photo, especially as the sun was directly behind them.
There were 10 elephants there grazing (do elephants graze?). At this point I had mixed feelings. I was delighted to have seen wild elephants, but disappointed at how far away they were.
The scenery in the park was fantastic.
We were told that we would have to wait here for a while as it was probably too early for the animals. Then somebody spotted another herd in the opposite direction. At least the sun would be better positioned, so maybe a better chance of a half decent photo.
It was back to the truck to continue our wait............ almost immediately 3 elephants passed behind us. These babies were close enough, but the sun was our enemy. The guide would not let us get into a better position.
Time was moving on, so we went back to look for the first elephant, and there he was in close proximity to a Guar.
Unfortunately, at this point, Mrs BB declared a need to spend a penny. Being too scared of snakes to nip behind a bush, the tour had to be abruptly ended.
It had been a fantastic day out, although disappointing that we didn't get a bit closer. I am planning to return next year.
Score:
17 elephants
1 guar
1 snake