Cruise Life
Day 3
On our cruise, we docked in Thailand. The plan for the day is to go to Pattaya so that we can try something that Thailand is well known for. Riding Elephants! We are all excited but not sure of what to really expect.
Before we actually left to start this cruise David and I both spoke with a few different people who had differing views about Pattaya, Thailand. There were those that were upset that we would go to this place and encourage the abuse of these animals by riding them. Then there were those who were excited for us and said that would be such a cool experience. Hope you have fun!!!
So here is a little bit of information about Pattaya and their elephants:
This place was opened in 1973 by Khun Phairat as an elephant sanctuary. The elephants here are those that got injured for one reason or another, whether as one of the elephants used for heavy work, or in the wild. Their natural habitat is diminishing at a rapid pace so that even if they were well enough to be let loose in the wild, it would not be in their best interest.
Elephants used to be captured and trained to handle the transport of heavy timber. They would carry about 500 kilos (1100 lbs), haul about 2000 kilos (4409 lbs), or push with their head 4-5 tons of timber from 6-10 hours a day. The income that was earned doing these jobs was just enough to keep them fed and get the medicine that they needed. These jobs are no longer available for the domesticated elephants, and a new way to earn their keep has to be found.
Enter the Pattaya Village Thailand
Khun Phairat has loved elephants since he was a young boy and would wonder how much an elephant ate and how much it would cost. Elephants can spend 12-18 hours eating a day and they consume 200-600 lbs of food and can drink up to 50 gallons of water. To Khun, this could cost anywhere from 1000-5000 baht ($157.33) a day per elephant. He has 30. Source
Tourism was the answer to Khun’s dilemma of feeding and caring for these elephants. Khun organizes only 3 shows a day to over 1000 tourists for these 90-minute demonstrations. He only has the elephants that are strong and healthy in these shows. They can carry no more than 150 kilos for 2 people, and work only for 2-3 hours a day. He employs 100 people to feed and care for these elephants every day. Pattaya Village is a non-profit organization that depends completely on tourism. They do not receive any government support or any sponsorship from any large companies.
Our Experience
When we first get to the village we were amazed at how pretty the whole area is. We were taken to a row of tables in front of a stage. We sit here waiting for the tour guide to tell us where we are going next, and are introduced to some of the handlers, and others who work here. Soon we had a snack and were surprised by a very colorful traditional dance by the villagers. Not long after, we are led down a path on the left to the arena where we see elephants meandering around with their handlers.
The elephants were really fascinating to watch. There were some that were without handlers just walking around. They sure like to bathe a lot! The elephants weren’t made to perform anything crazy. They stood up straight, threw a ball, and other neat stuff. The main event was really getting a ride on these animals.
Let me tell you, getting onto one of these beasts was not easy at all. The handlers asked for a volunteer (me) to come up and mount it. I thought this would be a piece of cake how they did it, not! Needed a boost. I thought the elephant would stink, and be very uncomfortable. The elephant did not smell, the skin is rough but not uncomfortable. The most uncomfortable part of the elephant was its hair! These felt like bristles on a broom!!!!
Sitting high on the neck of the elephant, almost on their head (at least that is how it felt) was pretty nerve-wracking. This was because it felt like I would fall forward if the elephant moved or turned fast. Of course, I made it to the dismount area with no problem. Everybody loved it! Well mostly. 🙂
Getting to Pattaya from the Port of Laem Chabang
When a cruise ship docks in Thailand, it anchors at the Port of Laem Chabang, about 40 kilometers south of Pattaya city. From the port, transportation options include metered taxis, songthaews (shared pickup trucks), and pre-booked excursions. Our visit to Pattaya Village was a booked excursion through the cruise line, which included transportation and took the logistical guesswork out of the day. If you are booking independently, the drive from the port to the sanctuary area takes about 30 to 40 minutes depending on traffic.
Pattaya itself is a sprawling coastal city with a reputation that can seem at odds with a family-friendly sanctuary visit. But the sanctuary sits in the lush hills outside the main tourist strip, and the atmosphere there could not be more different from the neon and noise of the beach road. The moment you arrive at Pattaya Village, you feel like you have genuinely left the city behind.
Is Elephant Riding Ethical? Our Honest Take
Before we went, we heard both sides of this debate loudly. Some friends were upset that we were going at all, saying that any elephant riding operation exploits these animals. Others were excited for us and said it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We went with an open mind and came away with a nuanced view.
Pattaya Village was established in 1973 specifically to provide a home and livelihood for injured and retired working elephants whose natural habitat was disappearing. These animals could not simply be released into the wild. The sanctuary runs as a non-profit, receives no government funding or corporate sponsorship, and depends entirely on tourism revenue to feed and care for its 30 elephants. Each elephant costs between 1,000 and 5,000 baht per day to maintain — roughly $30 to $150 — and an elephant can eat between 200 and 600 pounds of food in a single day.
The operation is deliberately limited: only three 90-minute shows per day, a strict weight limit of 150 kilos (about 330 lbs) for two riders, and elephants work no more than two to three hours daily. Whether this fully resolves the ethical debate is a question each visitor has to answer for themselves. What we saw was a facility where the elephants were clearly well-cared-for, with 100 full-time staff dedicated to their daily feeding and care. We left feeling that this was one of the more responsible versions of elephant tourism that exists in Southeast Asia.
What the Visit Looks Like: Step by Step
When we arrived at the village, the first impression was how beautiful the grounds were — lush, green, and carefully maintained. Our group was shown to a row of covered tables in front of a stage where we were welcomed, introduced to some of the handlers and staff, and served a light snack while a traditional dance performance by local villagers kicked off the visit. The dancers were in full traditional costume and the performance was genuinely lovely — not the kind of perfunctory tourist act you might expect, but something the villagers seemed to take real pride in.
After the welcome show, our group was walked down a path to the arena where the elephants and their handlers were gathered. Several elephants were moving freely with their mahouts (handlers). We had time to observe them, take photos, and see some of the demonstrations — elephants picking up balls, moving between stations, and generally going about their routines without any obvious distress. The main event for most visitors is the riding portion, which follows the demonstrations.
Practical Tips If You Are Planning a Visit
- Wear long pants. This is non-negotiable. Elephant skin is rough and their hair is like broom bristles. Shorts will leave your legs scratched and uncomfortable after even a short ride. Trust us on this one.
- Bring a change of clothes. The elephants love to bathe, and depending on proximity you can end up wetter than expected. Light, quick-dry clothes are ideal.
- Book in advance if possible. The sanctuary only runs three shows per day and limits visitor numbers. Booking through your cruise line or a reputable local tour operator is the safest approach.
- Leave jewelry and valuables at the ship. Elephants are curious, strong animals. Keep your belongings simple and secure.
- Budget about half a day. The full experience including transportation, welcome, demonstrations, and riding runs approximately 3 to 4 hours from port and back.
All in all it was a great trip! If you are ever in the area we highly recommend a stop to Pattaya Village.
For more information about elephants click here.
Thailand is Great!
Mary H
What We Wish We Had Known Before Going
Looking back, there are a few things that would have made the day smoother. First: the clothing advice is serious. The post-ride conversation on our bus back to the port was entirely about people who wore shorts and regretted it. Elephant hair is genuinely rough and scratches skin. Second: bring more time than you think you need. The whole excursion from port and back ran about four hours, which felt right, but we could easily have spent another hour at the sanctuary just watching the elephants move around the grounds.
Third: manage expectations for kids on the riding portion. The actual ride is shorter than most people expect. You mount the elephant (which requires a boost and some courage), ride for a few minutes around a designated path, and dismount. It is not a long safari trek. The value is in the experience of being up there, the perspective you get from eight feet in the air on the neck of a 9,000-pound animal. That part — the sheer size and presence of the animal beneath you — is something photographs cannot fully capture.
Would We Go Again?
Absolutely. The trip to Pattaya Village was one of the most memorable excursions of the entire cruise. The combination of the traditional dance performance, the elephant demonstrations, and the ride itself made for a full and genuinely moving experience. These are enormous, intelligent animals. Being in close proximity to them — seeing them interact with their handlers, watching them bathe enthusiastically — is something that stays with you.
If you are on a cruise that docks in Thailand and Pattaya Village is an available excursion, we strongly recommend adding it to your itinerary. Just wear long pants, bring a sense of humor about the mounting process, and get ready to see something you will be talking about for years.
Other Things to Know About Pattaya
While our day in Pattaya was entirely focused on the elephant sanctuary, the area has considerably more to offer for those with more time. Pattaya is a large resort city with beaches, water parks, a floating market, the Sanctuary of Truth (a breathtaking all-wood temple right on the ocean), and numerous family-friendly day activities. If you are visiting Thailand independently rather than on a cruise, Pattaya is about a two-hour drive south of Bangkok and makes a worthwhile two or three night stop before or after a Bangkok visit.
The Pattaya area is also home to several reputable elephant sanctuaries beyond Pattaya Village. In recent years the ethical conversation around elephant tourism has pushed a number of sanctuaries in Thailand toward no-riding models, where visitors bathe, feed, and walk with elephants without mounting them. Both models have their advocates. If you are researching which type of experience to book, the key questions are: how many hours per day do the elephants work, how many visitors per day, and what is the riding weight limit per animal? Those three questions will tell you most of what you need to know about how a facility operates.
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