Elephant Roundup

Want to go to this in mid November. Heard one can fly to Buriam. Anyone know about this? Or, how to go by bus or train? Anyone ever go?

Elephant Roundup

painnurse

this roundup happens in Surin not Buriram, usually on the 3rd weekend of november. the first roundup was hel in 1960, though unfortunately nowadays the elephants are used less as working animals than as performers. Usually somewhere between 150-200 elephants take part. Shows include how elephants are captured and raised and there are also war parades where elephants wear traditional battle dress from centuries beforehand. mock battles also take place, and of course the obligatory elephant rides take place.

PB Air fly to buriram then you will have to transfer to Surin by car.

bkk3

Elephant Roundup

bkk I know the roundup is in Surin. I mentioned the airport city as that is where the air flys to. I have not talked to anyone who has gone. Is it worth the trip? Like a once in a lifetime thing?? thx

painnurse

I can%26#39;t really say if it%26#39;s worth it or not. i%26#39;ve lived here for years and i%26#39;ve never had the urge to go. i guess i%26#39;ve done the elephant thing with my children too many times.

like many festivals throughout the world, thailand included, some turn out to be very enjoyable and some are just plain rubbish and purely for the benefit of tourists. i think this one at Surin is a more local festival but do bear in mind that the locals like to be entertained as well.

bkk3

thks bkk. I am not ';into elephants'; l just thought it was something very special but now I am not so sure. May not be worth the effort. I have no plans on riding an elephant or going to any elephant place as I do not want to be like ';thailand disneyland';. Thanks for your input. My husband likes WWII history.....do you think it is worth it to go to the River Kaui even tho it is not the same bridge? Just for the museum? I am not so sure about that either.

I have never been to the elephant roundup, but have spent plenty of time in Surin and Buriram. The up side of making the trip is that you will be going to an area of Thailand where relatively few foreign tourists venture. There are some sights to see in the area, in addition to the festival. If you fly, I think you must fly to Buriram. I believe you can take the train, and I suggest driving if you feel comfortable with that.

In addition to the festival, there are several Khmer historic sights in Buriram that would occupy much of a day. It is an area that is very different from the tourist areas of Thailand.

painnurse

i talked to a thai work colleague who comes from that area. he mentioned that they also organise an elephant football game, groups of elephants doing tug of war. so it may not be your cup of tea. there is also cultural shows such as dancing and traditional arts etc.

bkk3