THE DATE: January 30, 2018
There are several elephant sanctuaries in Thailand which offer a range of experience for tourists. For our group, we just want an affordable whole day experience (walking and bathing elephants) near Bangkok and Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT) fits the bill.
What is WFFT? Their website provides:
WFFT is not just an elephant sanctuary, it is an animal rescue center as well. They offer a full day or half day experience for tourists with the following itinerary:
The rate for a full day experience for adults is 1,600 THB, half day is 1,100 THB. For kids 6-12 years old, full day experience is 1,100 THB, half day is 900 THB. Kids below 6 years old don’t have to pay anything (Yay for Divibaby!). The rate includes a welcome drink and a Thai buffet lunch. However, transportation is not included. The rate for the transpo varies depending on the pick-up/drop-off area and if one-way or round-trip. Since we will be coming from Bangkok, the round-trip fare is 3,500 THB for a van with a maximum capacity of 10 people.
Since WFFT accommodates a limited number of guests, I filled up their Booking Form on their website as early as July 2017. They were very prompt in acknowledging my booking and told me that the transportation fee should be paid via paypal to confirm our reservation. The 1,600 THB per head fee is to be paid in person after the tour. I made the payment for the transpo via paypal on November 2017.
THE TRIP
07:45-10:05 The driver arrived even before our scheduled 7:30 AM pick-up time but we left 7:45 AM because we were late. Transportation: 3,500 THB for the van
10:05-10:20 We were served welcome drinks upon arrival. There were already a number of people waiting for their full/half day experience. WFFT staff/volunteers grouped the people into two.
10:20-12:00 Our group started the tour with the elephants near the entrance. The volunteer who guided us said that they were placed there because they were more comfortable around humans. These elephants were rescued from abusive owners or owners who can no longer take care of them. We were then guided around the Wildlife Rescue Center. Our guide narrated how these animals came to their possession. Some of them were rescued by the foundation, some of them were given by previous owners. After rehabilitation, these animals will be released in the wild, if possible.
12:00-13:00 We were given enough time to eat and refresh. The simple buffet lunch consisted of fried chicken, veggies, rice, and fruits.
13:00-15:20 After lunch, we rode an open bus, which brought us to an area where we would walk and feed the elephants. Our guide told us that we will walk two elephants. Apparently, the elephants were bestfriends and they would always go for a walk together. Each of us were given a few minutes to feed our assigned elephant with fruits inside a pail. We gave them a shower at the end of their walk.
I was worried that Divibaby will be scared walking and feeding a big animal. But she actually enjoyed it. She had a hard time scrubbing the elephant, though. So she didn’t like that part that much.
Afterwards, we rode the bus again and continued with the tour. We were brought to an enclosure of elephants who were being fed.
We went to another area where two elephants were taking their daily walk. There was a house near the enclosure. Our guide told us that they built it so they could accommodate guests who want to stay for several days. Unfortunately, it was not yet completed when we visited.
On the way back to the receiving area, we passed by another elephant enclosure. This time, it was made of concrete wall and it had no trees. Our guide told us that it wasn’t like that before. They always make sure that every elephant enclosure would have trees and fenced with wires. However, the bull in that enclosure was so aggressive that he pulled out all the trees they planted. They also tried putting another elephant with him but he only attacked her. He must have had a very hard life before he was rescued for him to act that way 🙁 Hopefully the foundation can rehabilitate him soon.
15:20-15:45 We changed clothes, freshened up, and paid our fee for the full-day experience before we left the foundation. Tours: 1,600 THB per adult
15:45-19:30 We asked our driver to drop us off Platinum Mall instead of our condo. We were in Bangkok before 7:00 PM but decided to walk to the mall by 7:30 PM because of Bangkok traffic.
19:30-20:30 Walked 20 minutes to the mall. 90% of the stores were already closed by the time we got there but Bella was able to buy a couple of tops. We planned to go back the next day. We were so hungry and decided to look for a restaurant somewhere near. We took the “Bangkok Skyline” skywalk which connects Platinum to BTS. It was not there during my 2012 trip so it was really nice that we don’t have to squeeze through other shoppers to go to BTS.
20:30-21:30 On the way to BTS, we passed by Big C Supercenter. Since it was still open, we went inside and ate dinner in their food park. Meals: 150 THB per person
21:30-22:30 It was a long walk to BTS Siam station. Rode BTS until Udom Suk, then Uber to the condo. Transportation: 59 THB per person (BTS); 105.42 THB for our Uber
THE EXPENSES
For consistency’s sake, 1 PHP is 0.61 THB.
