Surin’s Elephant Roundup history:

The festival has its origins in the royal hunts which were conducted in Surin Province during medieval times. The indigenous residents of Surin, the Kuy, have been traditional practitioners of corralling elephants and training them as working animals. When the Ayutthaya Kingdom came into power these hunts were converted into a public extravaganza and wild elephants were replaced with tame ones. The festival, in its contemporary form, was first organized in the 1960s when civil war in Cambodia and the steady decline in economic value of elephants forced the elephant handlers (mahouts) to seek occupations in the entertainment and tourism industry.

When to Go to Elephant Round Up 2021:

Descend upon this experience during the third weekend of November each year. This time of year is the cool season with temperatures that usually range between 16 - 30 degrees celcius, a comfortable change from the hotter temperatures of the dry season.

Why Surin’s Elephant Roundup 2021 ?

Surin’s Elephant Roundup is an internationally recognized event, Elephant Round-Up begins with a wonderful elephant parade through the streets, and the famous “elephant breakfast”. After that, the shows also include elephant talent competitions, demonstration of the various techniques used to capture and train elephants, a presentation of ancient elephant warfare techniques, a series of shows displaying the strength and skill of the animals, such as football games and a tug-of-war between men and elephants. Although it may sound like the animals are being exploited and treated unkindly, Thais hold them in great esteem and even believe their country is shaped like an elephant’s head.