may have posted twice, cannot master this technology. There is a good elephant experience at the elephant conservation centre in lampang, not too far south of CM.- see Thai Elephant Conservation Center (?) or google elephant camp lampang. We went on a 3 day mahout course which was exhausting (we are in our fifties) but fun. also a 1 and a 2 day option available if time is short. We absolutely loved it. they supply everything, even the blue mahout pyjamas. Cost has gone up but still good value, now 8,000B for 3 days all inclusive, except the cold beers at the end of a hot day. they accept 10 'students' at a time and rooms are comfy and have private facilities. Supat, the director, even organised taxi pick up from our hotel in chiang mai. it was the highlight of our trip. Beware, though, you will form part of the daily elephant show on your final day...stardom.

Bangkok hotels- we have also met many people who love the asia. We like the silom serene in patpong, but there are zillions of hotels so there must be lots of good ones.

One last point for CM. Eat at Daddys Pizza opposite the royal princess hotel. it was reviewed and recommended by emdee at one point on this forum and he is right. never had the pizza but the thai food there is fantastic. We ate there daily. I miss emdee's reviews, can we still get to them? Has he posted any recently?