Surin Elephant Museum
At Ban Taklang Elephant Village, the largest elephant village in the world located in Surin Province, the Surin Elephant Museum has now been completed.
Situated within the Elephant Study Center on a 500-rai area, the village offers visitors the chance to observe the daily lives, bonds, and traditions shared between humans and elephants, as well as the rich culture of the local community.
Each household in Ban Taklang has kept elephants as part of their family for generations, creating deep and lasting connections between humans and elephants. This long-standing relationship has earned Ban Taklang the distinction of being the largest village of domesticated elephants in the world.
In the World of Elephants Project.
The Surin Elephant Museum is the final component of the World of Elephants Project.
With a construction budget exceeding 455 million THB, it serves as a learning center that reflects the deep relationship between humans and elephants in the Kuy way of life. Importantly, it is also the largest elephant conservation center in the world.
The Elephant Study Center, or Ban Taklang Elephant Village in Surin Province, is a hub for elephant residents.
The center is home to over 200 elephants from Ban Krapho, Ban Taklang, and other villages across Surin Province.
It is designed as a shared living space for both humans and elephants, featuring villagers homes, known as kwan chang, alongside elephant dwellings scattered throughout the area. No matter where you walk, you will encounter elephants nearby. Each elephant is gentle, intelligent, and friendly, easily interacting with people. The elephants of Ban Taklang are domesticated, happily living under the same roof as their human families.
The project includes the Brick Tower, a large ancient-style brick tower designed by architect Assoc. Prof. Boonserm Premthada. It serves both as a viewing platform and a shelter in case of emergencies.
The Elephant Stadium is envisioned as a playground for elephants, with a central open area for various elephant activities and performances. It is surrounded by pitched roofs inspired by the traditional homes of the Kuy people, reflecting their long-standing bond with elephants.
The Elephant Museum is an open-air museum designed like a maze and built with red bricks. Its height allows both humans and elephants to share the space safely. The ancient brickwork features curved and tiered structures to facilitate the natural flow of air, wind, and sound.
Using principles from Sound Brick research, visitors can distinguish different sounds throughout the area. Additionally, trees planted along the pathways help reduce sound reflection and provide intermittent shade for a more comfortable experience.
4 Main Exhibition Zones of Interest
At the Surin Elephant Museum, visitors can explore a variety of elephant-related knowledge across four main exhibition zones, which include:
Zone 1: Royal, Domestic, and Wild Elephants
This zone presents the history of elephants in Thailand, including royal elephants, war elephants, white elephants, as well as wild and domestic elephants, highlighting the intertwined lives of humans and elephants.
Zone 2: Elephant Facts
This zone provides knowledge about elephants, focusing on the two main species: Asian elephants and African elephants.
Zone 3: Prehistoric Elephants
Visitors are welcomed into the prehistoric era, learning about elephants from ancient times and their evolutionary history.
Zone 4: Elephant Gallery
This zone showcases elephant-themed artworks and is divided into two sections:
- Gallery A features artworks by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, renowned artists, local artists from Surin Province, and other northeastern Thai artists.
- Gallery B is a flexible exhibition space for rotating art displays, events, and meetings.
In addition, the surrounding area is decorated with large elephant models specifically designed for the Surin Elephant Museum. These vibrant and charming models reflect a modern style while symbolizing the close relationship between humans and elephants in the largest domesticated elephant village at Ban Taklang, Krapho Subdistrict, Tha Tum District, Surin Province.
Visitor Information:
- Opening Hours: Daily, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Entrance Fees: Thai visitors 50 THB, Foreign visitors 100 THB
Hotel in Surin
Surin organic rice
We carefully select premium-quality organic rice varieties cultivated using sustainable organic farming methods, including Jasmine Rice, Brown Jasmine Rice, Paka Ampul Brown Rice, Five-Variety Mixed Rice, Surin Mali Nil Rice, Riceberry, and Red Jasmine Rice. Planted once a year in Surin Province, we pay close attention to every step of organic farming, following natural methods. From the organic fields to your table, our 100% organic rice delivers health and quality straight from local farmers.
Our Surin Organic Agriculture Rice products meet the following standards:
- Thai Organic Agriculture Standard (Organic Thailand)
- PGS Thailand Standard participatory organic certification
- Certified Pure Rice Varieties by the Rice Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives
- Surin Best top-quality product from Surin Province
- GI Surin Hommali Rice Geographical Indication certified jasmine rice of Surin
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