Where else in the world to you have the chance to have a view of three countries and learn how to become an elephant mahout.

This recently re-furbished 5 star resort is located in the historic town of Chiang Saen less than 50metres from where Myanmar, Laos and Thailand converge. This resort is set in 160 acres of indigenous forest and a Bill Bensley landscaped garden. It’s on the site of the former Baan Boran resort.

All the resort’s rooms and suites have large balconies with built in sofas and space for private dining. Inside, oval shaped terrazzo tubs large enough for two people are the central feature of the through flow bathroom, which can be opened up to or closed off from the bedrooms with sliding fluted-glass doors.

The interiors are carefully chosen local made arts and crafts to create a style that has been described as “a contemporary interpretation of classic Thai” and reflects that although the resort has a rich use of teak wood, it is reconditioned and not a single branch of new teak has been cut.

Helping to make the resort a destination is its elephant camp. Starting with 4-5 elephant, the camp will eventually grow to around 10-12 elephants that will live in a traditional village with their mahouts and their families.

And this is were guests can learn to drive an elephant. The course content includes learning the basic commands, bathing and daily care of the elephant, feeding requirements and mahout lifestyle. At the end of 3 days as short ‘driving rest’ is administered after which guests receive their certificate of mahout competence.

The programme is designed for those who would like to get a feel for the bond between elephant and mahout and to learn more than just the very basics. The course is based on the professional mahout-training course, run at the Elephant Conversation Centre in Lampang.

It’s not a course for late risers. Elephant and mahouts get up with the sun and the course starts each morning at 6.30am. The trainee first task is to collect their elephant from the forest and together with the mahout drive her back to camp. The guide will explain what the mahout is doing and the commands he uses for his elephant.

Once back at the camp, guests are invited to make an incense offering and blessing to the elephant headed deity, Ganesh, after which they receive their own mahout overalls and hat. Then it’s off to work, the mahout teaching each trainee how to climb to the elephant’s neck before setting off for the river and the morning bath. The morning course ends at 9.30am.

The afternoon’s activities start at 3.30pm, when guest drive their elephant back to the forest, learn how to choose a good place to chain her overnight, in particular where her favourite food is plentiful, then bid her good night.

Qualified mahouts stay with the elephant throughout the training and guest are never required to have sole charge of their mounts.

Anantara Resort & Spa, Golden Triangle,
299 Moo 1, Chiangsaen, Chiangrai 87150 Thailand,
T +66 0-5378-4084, F + 66 0-5378-4090.