Surin

[kendo]

Surin is very famous for the elephant round up, (Randy you should know a bit about this) this festival is normaly the third week end in November.

There is up to 200 elephants that take part and this is the biggest gathering in Thailand, it even has it's own stadium and show ground it's well worth a trip, you can look up more info at the farang connection website, and there is some good video clips on You Tube, also a good opportunity to take in some of the Khmer temples.

[Super Joe]

Surin is very famous for the elephant round up, (Randy you should know a bit about this)

That's a bit harsh, I know Randy is a tad rotund, but to be mistaken for a chang and rounded up, surely not??

Only kidding, I bet that is quite an sight, worth seeing.

SJ

[sandman67]

Hi mate

do you mean like a rodeo....with elephants? Man I wanna see that...wild elephant riding a la bull riding....how long can you hang on before mr elly pulls you off and lobs you over the stands.....

sounds like a primo photo opportunity in any way....

[STEVE G]

If heard about elephants playing soccer in Surin as well, but I've never seen it for myself.

[baron_wastelanduk]

there is a passage in a book by an australian guy that got banged up for drug trafficking where he describes the elephants in a prison playing football with some of the iinmates put in a bamboo soccer ball - when the elephants get bored they just squish the guy inside

cdk

the baron

[kendo]

It is well worth the trip upto Surin for this great spectacle it's lovely to see so many elephants and the real Isaan culture, you see elephants like never before, and its great for the keepers to get some money to keep this going, fact, 100 years ago there was 100,000 elephants in Thailand now there is less than 5,000 thats quite sad but sign of the times.

[kendo]

there is a passage in a book by an australian guy that got banged up for drug trafficking where he describes the elephants in a prison playing football with some of the iinmates put in a bamboo soccer ball - when the elephants get bored they just squish the guy inside

cdk

the baron

The book is called Damage Done, by Warren Fellows, it also has been released under the title 4,000 days, it's one hell of a read very harrowing recommended.

[lomuamart]

Went all the way from Nang Rong years ago. We arrived in Surin in the afternoon to find out that all the fun and games finished at lunchtime. Would have loved to have seen it all, but a good time was still had and there were rather a lot of elephants wandering around.
Unless timings have changed, I'd suggest getting there in the morning.

[kendo]

You do see elephants wandering around the city a lot the keepers take them around so tourists can buy bags of sugar cane for 20 baht, and feed them, last year i was sat in the bar, keeper brings the elephant over so i do the tourist thing and buy a couple of bags of sugar cane, the wife takes a few photos, and then to my amazement the keeper gave the elephant a harmonica, the elephant sort of played it, and was dancing too, it was a very nice thing to see. Another thing thats quite funny is that when you see the elephants walking around the city at night, the keepers tie cd's or those little LED lights that flash on there tails for safety.

So if you see an elephant with a flashing LED light from a distance, take a second look it could be Randy on his bicycle.

[huahinsimon]

Went all the way from Nang Rong years ago. We arrived in Surin in the afternoon to find out that all the fun and games finished at lunchtime. Would have loved to have seen it all, but a good time was still had and there were rather a lot of elephants wandering around.
Unless timings have changed, I'd suggest getting there in the morning.

Need for a marketing GURU here. I ran from the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain. That festival is a week long. Lots of chances to get gored. Elephants deserve a 'bigger' festival, than a week end. can sell a lot more sugar cane, and bia Chang.

then people like Iomu wont miss the do, unless bad timing.

[Randy Cornhole]

So thats it then, an elephant round up! Wow Surin really is hip....

[kendo]

So thats it then, an elephant round up! Wow Surin really is hip....

Surin is quite a sleepy out post in the north east, but people come from all over thailand for the elephant round up it is quite famous, you get thousands turn up every year.

Randy what area are you in, have i read before it's Buriram.

[Randy Cornhole]

I am approx 65 kms N/E of Surin near a place called Sanom.

[kendo]

I am approx 65 kms N/E of Surin near a place called Sanom.

Bingo Randy found Sanom, you are not to far from the 214 road if you stay on that road south go through Surin and Prasat go another 20 km and we are at a village near Kapchoeng.

[Spitfire]

Can't imagine it's easy finding a hotel at that time. What's the deal kendo?