TECC (Thai Elephant Conservation Center Hospital and National Elephant Institute) in Thailand

The Elephant Conservation Center is attached to the Veterinary Section, Northern Timber Work Division.

Formerly the Young Elephant Training Centre, it is operated by Forestry Industry Organization and is the first center in Thailand to train elephants for forest work.

The Centre is located in Ban Tung Kiewn, Amphoe Hang Chat, on Lampang-Chiang Mai Highway 32 kms. from Lampang. At the center, the elephant’s activities such as bathing, working and log pushing are demonstrated for the public. In addition, the center provides elephant riding tour.

In an adjacent area to wards the hills, six of the King’s White Elephants are cared for in pleasant surroundings, having been moved here from the grounds of Chitrlada Palace in Bangkok in 1986. Another four are in Sakon Nakhon, with only the most senior animal remaining in Bangkok. Each of these revered animals has its own newly constructed building and attendants, and although this area is not open to the public, the elephants can sometimes be seen in the Elephant Conservation Centre.