Elephant Parade Land
For those truly looking for ethical elephant projects, this is the place to be. A few kilometers north of Chiang Mai, you'll find Elephant Parade Land. You won't find any real elephants here, only sculptures ranging from a few centimeters to a meter tall, painted by artists from all over Thailand. Founded by some Dutch people and still under Dutch management, it supports projects throughout Southeast Asia to offer elephants an "elephant-worthy" existence. Proceeds come from shops throughout Thailand, as well as from stores in other South Asian cities, and are supported by major hotel and retail chains that often display the painted elephants for sale in their lobbies. Regular exhibitions worldwide give the organization the attention it deserves. Several big names from showbiz and the fashion world have lent their names to the project as ambassadors (check the website).If you're in Chiang Mai, go there and participate in the "elephant painting" workshop, so you can take home the most original souvenir. Can't make it? Order your elephant online on their website, they ship worldwide!