The Elephant Story

Kru Oh and Callie the Canadian English Teacher

Apr 15, 2019 | 0 comments

For the past eighteen months, The Elephant Village in Baan Ta Klang, Surin, Thailand has been blessed by Callie Jackson teaching English to the children of the village. Callie comes from a small town in Northern Ontario. She has a degree in journalism and a passion for elephants. Fortunately, she made a connection with Kru Oh, our Thai spiritual leader for English education, and found her way to our village. Sadly, it is now time for Callie to return home and we asked her to share a few of her experiences and favorite images over her tenure. However, to provide...

The Creation of Elephant Polo

Aug 28, 2017 | 0 comments

Where on earth would you come up with the idea for playing polo on elephants? Well, in a bar -- where else? Although it is believed that the maharajas in early India had ladies in their harems ride in sedan chairs on tops of elephants and take swats at polo balls, it was not the serious sport that it has become today. Moreover, the maharajas likely came up with the idea to keep the ladies amused and provide themselves brief respites from their own harem duties. It all came together in the winter of 1982 when Jim Edwards, owner of...

The Soul of Bangkok

Aug 21, 2017 | 0 comments

Recently, The Bangkok Post published an article entitled Feeling Sold Down the Chao Phraya River which featured an eighty-four-year old lady named Khun Orasri Silpi recounting her memories of life by the river and how three government sponsored projects will entirely change the river-scape of Bangkok. The projects include an 8.5-mile promenade along the river, an observation tower, and a pedestrian bridge across the river. The author's perspective only began in 1968 but the river and Bangkok have been a big part of my life since then.By way of background, the Chao Phraya River is formed by the Nan and...

The Fourth Annual Elephant Story Invitational Elephant Polo Tournament in Moo Baan Chang, Thailand

Jul 19, 2017 | 0 comments

The Elephant Story Invitational Elephant Polo tournament in Moo Baan Chang (the elephant village) in Baan Ta Klang, Surin,Thailand came to a successful close on July 1. The Elephant Story mob went a day early to select the elephants for the tournament from the 300 elephants in the nearby villages. Rest assured, we were only trying out the elephants and not practicing that day. The Elephant Story team did take a spiritual edge from a blessing given by the Buddhist Abbot in the village. The tournament began the next day with the elephant blessing for the strong elephants and the...

News from Moo Baan Chang, Surin, Thailand

Jan 09, 2017 | 0 comments

Several people have asked what is going on in our special village which caused us to prepare a brief update covering several topics. First of all, you should know that life is pretty peaceful there as the image below indicates-plenty of rain, great rice crop and, therefore, everything is "sabaay maak" (Thai for "tranquil" like your mind following meditation). The elephants can take a rest from farming and enjoy a special treat in an enhanced diet which will be covered below. Moreover, the elephants are prospering and adding offspring. Further, The Elephant Story together with The Golden Triangle Asian Elephant...

Elephant Images from Ayutthaya

Dec 19, 2016 | 0 comments

Our friends and elephant lovers, Claire Davidson and Rod Mabin, just returned from a photo shoot in Ayutthaya, Thailand. Ayutthaya, the second historic capital of Thailand, was formed in 1350 and was attacked and razed by the Burmese in 1767. It was never rebuilt, as the capital moved south to the Bangkok area, though it remains a site for anthropologic remains and a home for a number of domesticated elephants. We thought we would share some of their fantastic images. The historic setting of Ayutthaya which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Claire is warming up one of her subjects....

Elephants and Economics

Feb 15, 2016 | 0 comments

This commentary was prompted by a recent article in the Nikkei Asian Review commenting on the ASEAN Economic Community Reality, which created a question in my mind as to the future of elephants in many of these countries in light of their economic development. First of all, the author would like to acknowledge Ele Aid for their vast contribution to an understanding of the elephant population and potential for their survival in Southeast Asia. Below is a ranking of certain ASEAN countries by their GDP and GDP per capita. There are several observations relative to the wealth of these countries...

The Elephant Story Elephant Polo Tournament In Moo Baan Chang, Ban Ta Klang, Surin, Thailand

Apr 22, 2015 | 0 comments

Since elephant polo was introduced to Thailand by the Thai Elephant Polo Association in 2001, and came under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King of Thailand as the King’s Cup, it has grown in scope and scale to become a major annual social event. However, we thought we would go to the elephants this year and have a much smaller tournament in the elephants’ hometown rather than the big city of Bangkok. Accordingly, The Elephant Story will host a tournament in Moo Baan Chang, June 24 and June 25 to mark the fifteenth year anniversary of elephant polo...

Protecting elephants, welcoming tourists

Apr 11, 2015 | 0 comments

The second video of a series by Nikkei Asian Review's Gwen Robinson looks at the Anatara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort's efforts to balance the financial and ethical demands of rescuing elephants, helping their caretakers, and welcoming tourists in northern Thailand. (featuring Ed Story, founder of The Elephant Story and John Roberts, Director of Elephants, Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation (GTAEF)

VIETNAM ERA JUNGLE FATIGUE JACKETS WITH VINTAGE HMONG FABRIC

Nov 18, 2014 | 0 comments

From 1961 until April 1975, 125,000 Hmong Hill tribe people served in the CIA's secret war in Laos. Approximately 39,000 of them were killed in action. Following the end of the war, the Pathet Lao and Vietnamese advisors killed another 230,000 Hmong people. The Elephant Story purchases vintage Hmong fabric in The Golden Triangle where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar join and applies the vintage Hmong fabric to Vietnam era fatigue jackets in memory of these courageous fighters. See the Collection

The Adventures of Ed & Joey - October Golden Triangle Visit

Nov 17, 2014 | 0 comments

October Golden Triangle Visit Written by: Ed Story Joey and I were recently up at the Golden Triangle for a stay at our home there, The Four Seasons Tented Camp. Apart from being our physical home in The Golden Triangle all of our friends there ensure that we feel at home there. We had the opportunity to play some elephant polo but before we come to that I wanted to touch on a couple of wonderful things going on in that part of the world. I had the opportunity to have breakfast with Joshua Plotnik,...

A RETROSPECTIVE OF THE 2014 KING'S CUP ELEPHANT POLO TOURNAMENT - PART IV

Nov 14, 2014 | 0 comments

THE ELEPHANT STORY FINAL MATCH AGAINST SARA STORY DESIGN IN THE KING'S CUP 2014 ELEPHANT POLO TOURNAMENT, BANGKOK, THAILAND Written by: Ed Story Our final match, or penalty shootout, was against a team that is very near and dear to me, that of my daughter Sara Story. Although each team had only lost one match by one point against the top two teams in the tournament while disregarding handicaps favoring each of us, we faced off for fifth and sixth place. Had we played our respective matches against the finalists, either one of us could have been...

A RETROSPECTIVE OF THE 2014 KING'S CUP ELEPHANT POLO TOURNAMENT - PART III

Nov 13, 2014 | 0 comments

THIRD DAY OF PLAY AT THE KING'S CUP 2014 ELEPHANT POLO TOURNAMENT BANGKOK THAILAND Written by: Ed Story The third day of play opened to sunny skies that followed a torrential downpour the night before. As everyone wanted to play an actual match, the only solution seemed to be the sand pit covered polo practice area used by horse polo players. All the various equipment in storage was moved outside of the arena and crude goals and markers were installed. Unfortunately, the elephants could not overcome their childhood days of playing soccer and chose every opportunity to kick...

A RETROSPECTIVE OF THE 2014 KING'S CUP ELEPHANT POLO TOURNAMENT - PART II

Nov 12, 2014 | 0 comments

SECOND DAY OF PLAY AT THE KING'S CUP 2014 ELEPHANT POLO TOURNAMENT BANGKOK THAILAND Written by: Ed Story The foremost objective of the King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament is to ensure the safety of the elephants during the course of the tournament. Moreover, a qualified veterinarian is on duty at all times. Of secondary importance is raising funds for elephant conservation. The individual with ultimate responsibility for this task is John Roberts, Director of the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation, whose watchful eye is constantly on the polo pitch. John concluded that the field was not stable...

A RETROSPECTIVE OF THE 2014 KING'S CUP ELEPHANT POLO TOURNAMENT - PART I

Nov 11, 2014 | 0 comments

The Elephant Story team of Comfort, Texas competing against the world's top elephant polo teams Written by: Ed Story The King’s Cup Elephant Polo tournament has become an annual event in Thailand held in honor of His Majesty the King and to raise funds for elephant conservation. This year it was held at the VR Sports Club in Bangkok. Sixteen teams from as many as thirty countries participated in this unusual sporting event. The first day was devoted to practice and offered many old friends the opportunity to reunite since the past year. While practicing, the handicapping committee...

Hill Country Shop sells coffee made with the help of elephants - San Antonio Magazine

Nov 10, 2014 | 0 comments

A special thanks to San Antonio Magazine for such a beautiful write up! The Elephant Story BY NIKO MEDRANO PHOTO COURTESY THE ELEPHANT STORY Elephants don’t typically come up in conversations about coffee, but in Thailand and the Maldives, the large animal is the key to a brand of coffee served in five-star hotels. Now, Texans can have a taste of exclusive Black Ivory Coffee thanks to the Hill Country shop, The Elephant Story. Husband and wife Ed and Joey Story founded the store in Comfort in 2012. Filled with apparel and gifts, many of which are...

LAYING FLAT ELEPHANT NECKLACE

Oct 31, 2014 | 0 comments

This necklace is made in Thailand of Pure Sterling Silver, and features a row of elephants that lay flat to the skin. What a perfect way to spoil your favorite person this holiday season than with this unique piece only found at The Elephant Story. Join our Email List [ccembed:28] The Elephant Story

PURE INDIAN SILVER EARRINGS

Oct 29, 2014 | 0 comments

Like many, if not all, of the products in The Elephant Story, these earrings are hand picked by Ed and Joey Story on their many travels around the world. These earrings in particular are some of the only Indian Silver products we have in stock and are completely unique and directly from India. \ Pieces similar have been featured in films from Bollywood to Hollywood and in fashion magazines worldwide such as Bazaar, Vogue, Elle and much more. What a perfect gift for some of the gorgeous women in your life, a piece or three of the most gorgeous earrings in the world inspired by...

RECYCLING IN A DEVELOPING COUNTRY WITH A THAI ELEPHANT CEMENT BAG

Oct 27, 2014 | 0 comments

Siam Cement of Thailand exports massive amounts of cement in bags to Cambodia as the country rebuilds itself following the devastating years of Khmer Rouge suppression. Each bag has an elephant image on it representing the iconic historic symbol of Thailand. In Cambodia, these discarded cement bags are crafted into tote, duffel, and cosmetic bags as well as coin purses by Cambodian craftsmen. The Elephant Story purchases them and returns the proceeds to elephant conservation. The irony of it is most of the elephants being helped came to Thailand from Cambodia to escape the war there. ...They are available in 9 different styles...

YAO FRAMED CALENDAR

Oct 24, 2014 | 0 comments

The Yao people are an ethnic minority living in the southern Yunan province of China and The Golden Triangle of Thailand. They practice a Taoist form of religion combined with Shamanism. The ethnic Yao people have their own language based on a Chinese dialect using Chinese script. These individual paintings on linen were originally part of a long scroll depicting a daily zodiac calendar describing the fortunes of Yao people born on a given day. Join our Email List [ccembed:28] See something on our blog that we don't sell online yet? Give us a call and order it...