Thom's Pai Elephant Camp

Thom’s Pai Elephant Camp is the oldest one of the only attractions in Pai where guests can interact with elephants in an ecologically-conscious manner. Riding the animals is completely banned, but you can enjoy the company of these gentle giants while trekking. A one-day tour at the camp includes elephant trekking in the morning and bamboo rafting in the evening, along with a refreshing bath in hot spring tubs.

You can accompany the Mahouts (elephant handlers) as they take the elephants down to River Pai, which flows through the camp for a bath. You will see the animals be themselves, play around with water, be mischievous, and yet show their most gentle side on these treks. You can get in the water with them and experience the fun first-hand. You can also witness them being fed. You will learn about their lifestyles, eating habits, and mating processes on the treks.

The camp also offers Mahout training, bamboo rafting, hill tribe village visits, and sightseeing tours. You can enjoy bamboo rafting trips along the river, where you will see more of Pai’s everyday countryside life. Soak in the lush green scenery along the river banks and the mountains in the distance. Thom’s Pai Elephant Camp arranges sightseeing tours to local attractions as well as age-old hill tribe settlements - Lisu, Lahu, and Aka villages.