Thailand - The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

Surin: Come for the Elephants, Stay for the Sticky Rice (and Maybe Never Leave) Surin. You may not have heard of it unless you’re an elephant, an elephant enthusiast, or someone who accidentally bought a bus ticket in the wrong direction. But nestled in Thailand’s northeastern Isaan region, Surin is a city that goes from sleepy to stampede-level spectacular once a year, and is charmingly laid-back the rest of the time. Yes, it’s famous for elephants. But Surin is more than a one-trick pachyderm. How to Get There (Without Riding an Elephant) By Plane : No airport in Surin, so fly to Buriram or Ubon Ratchathani and take a 1–2 hour bus or van from there. Yes, it’s a bit roundabout, but so is most good Thai food. By Train : From Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong or Krung Thep Aphiwat. About 8–9 hours. Cheap, scenic, and you might even get a seat that doesn’t squeak. By Bus : Daily buses from Bangkok’s Mo Chit Terminal. Around 7–8 hours, assuming no surprises. Fares: 500–800 THB. Bring snacks and ho...

Elephant Sanctuaries in Thailand: Ethical Wonderlands or Guilt-Flavored Tourist Traps? Let’s talk about elephants, those majestic, intelligent, sensitive creatures that somehow ended up as the unofficial mascots of Thailand’s tourism industry. You’ve seen the photos: a serene tourist in harem pants lovingly bathing a giant elephant while a tour guide quietly angles for a tip in the background. It looks wholesome. It feels ethical. But is it? Or is this just another case of us hugging animals because we need new content for Instagram? First, the basics. Thailand is home to thousands of elephants, both wild and captive. The wild ones are doing their best to avoid humanity altogether (understandable), while the captive ones are mostly trapped in a weird halfway house of tourism, entertainment, and vague conservation slogans. Enter: the elephant sanctuary. The Ethical Sanctuary™ This is the kind of place every well-meaning traveler thinks they’re going to. No chains, no riding, no circus t...