Surin
Elephant Village
General Information
Other Name: -, District: NA, State: The Northeast, Thailand
Area: 0 -
Languages Spoken: Thai,Khmer,Lao or Suway.
Long Distance Code: +66
Importance: Annual Elephant Show
Best Time to Visit: - to - and -
International Access: -Description
Surin is a town in Thailand, capital of Surin province. It is the site of the annual Surin Elephant Round-up. The town is also an access point for the Khmer temples of Phanom Rung historical park, Prasat Preah Vihear and potentially Angkor Wat.The population of the town is in the region of 150,000, the majority being of Khmer and Laos decent.The main industry in Surin Province is agriculture, and the most prevalent crop is rice (khow). The land is very flat which facilitates paddy field construction. It is apparent that around 80% of the provinces population is either farming or at least involved in farming during part of the year (planting and harvesting).There are two seasons in the Surin Province of Thailand; the hot wet season (between April and October) and the cool dry season (between November and March).September is normally the wettest month and January the driest.The Surin Elephant Fair/Roundup is held every year, usually on the third weekend in November, although the elephants may start converging on the town as early as September.The weekend proper starts with the parade of the elephants through the centre of the town on the Friday morning. The elephants and floats congregate by the railway station and thereafter parade down Tanasan Road to what is locally called the "Elephant Roundabout". Here, the local population has already set up trestle tables of food for the elephant breakfast. After a few words of welcome from the local dignitaries, the elephants are allowed to eat their fill of fruits and vegetables.Location
450 kilometres North East of Bangkok.Climate
Cool And Dry.
This historical park contains some of the country''s most extensive Khmer ruins.
The best elephant trainers and guides (mahouts) are supposed to come from the region around Surin. This is possibly the reason why the Thai tourist board organized the largest elephant round-up here. The spectacle lasts several days and is a huge national folk festival.Around 200 elephants are brought in from all over the country and are judged in front of stands for their skill, strength and obedience to their mahout. This is interspersed with dances performed by members of the many Thai tribes in original costumes. The festival takes place on the third weekend of November.