Chiang Mai, sometimes written as "Chiengmai" or "Chiangmai", is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand. It is the capital of Chiang Mai Province, a former capital of the Kingdom of Lanna and was the tributary Kingdom of Chiang Mai from 1774 until 1939. It is located 700 km north of Bangkok, among the highest mountains in the country. The city is along the Ping River, a major tributary of the Chao Phraya River. Chiang Mai means "new city" and was so-named because it was the new capital, founded in 1296, succeeding Chiang Rai in the capital of the Lanna kingdom. In recent years, Chiang Mai has become an increasingly modern city and has been attracting over 5 million visitors each year, of which 2 million are foreign tourists. Chiang Mai's historic importance is derived from its close proximity to the Ping river and major trading routes.
Beyond the concrete jungle of Chiang Mai, Thailand, lies an entirely different jungle. A real jungle where lush, tree-covered mountains are home to numerous species of animals. Within this jungle is a special place -- Elephant Nature Park (ENP), the flagship project of the Save Elephant Foundation. Unlike other tourist outfits in Thailand, ENP delivers something unique—a chance to interact with elephants without exploiting them. Elephants, while revered in the country, are not free from abuse. Every day, wild baby elephants are captured and taken away from their mothers (who are often killed) and forced to undergo training to domesticate them, the phajaan. This practice essentially breaks the spirit of the elephant, using fear of pain to train them to accept riders on their backs, perform tricks and paint. However, ENP provides a sanctuary for these creatures broken by tourism and the illegal logging industry.
photo by lucky
edited by mobydick74
Added by dragon89