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Impressive as they are, trees of this stature are between 150-300 years old. Currently the Dipterocarp
predominate the international tropical timber market, and therefore play an important role in the economy
of many of the Southeast Asian countries.

At present, underestimated and unrestricted exploitation has encouraged excessive harvesting of
Dipterocarp and together with modern technologies and economics, has finally endangered the future
of Dipterocarp forests.

However, there are still a lot of Dipterocarp trees in the Khao Sok area. The national park should ensure
the survival of these trees for the upcoming centuries.

Enjoy Elephant Hills for less!!!

Fantastic Family Specials
all children’s rates 75% off, for tours starting May 2010

2 for 1!!!
Bring your partner or loved one to experience
a night with us here at Elephant Hills for free. 2 for 1 deals
valid throughout the months of May, June and September
2010. Book now

Honeymoon, Wedding Anniversary’s and Birthdays
If you are booked for a Honeymoon, wedding anniversary or birthday, you will receive the following FOC:
Sparkling Wine, Cake, Flowers and a Fruit Basket in the tent. Subject to availability till 30. April 2010

Songkran festival

The Songkran festival is celebrated in Thailand as the
traditional New Year's Day from 13 to 15 April. It coincides
with the New Year of many calendars of South and
Southeast Asia. The date of the festival was originally set by
astrological calculation, but it is now fixed. Songkran falls in
the hottest time of the year in Thailand, at the end of the dry
season. Until 1888 the Thai New Year was the beginning
of the year in Thailand; thereafter 1 April was used until
1940. 1 January is now the beginning of the year.

The most obvious celebration of Songkran is the throwing
of water. People roam the streets with containers of water
or water guns (sometimes mixed with mentholated talc), or post themselves at the side of roads with
a garden hose and drench each other and passersby. This, however, was not always the main activity
of this festival. Songkran was traditionally a time to visit and pay respects to elders, including family
members, friends and neighbors.

Besides the throwing of water, people celebrating Songkran
may also go to a wat (Buddhist monastery) to pray and give
food to monks. They may also cleanse Buddha images from
household shrines as well as Buddha images at
monasteries by gently pouring water mixed with a Thai
fragrance over them. It is believed that doing this will bring
good luck and prosperity for the New Year. In many cities,
such as Chiang Mai, the Buddha images from all of the
city's important monasteries are paraded through the streets
so that people can toss water at them, ritually 'bathing' the
images, as they pass by on ornately decorated floats.
In northern Thailand, people may also carry handfuls of
sand to their neighborhood monastery in order to recompense the dirt that they have carried away on
their feet during the rest of the year. The sand is then sculpted into stupa-shaped piles and decorated
with colorful flags.

Some people make New Year resolutions - to refrain from bad behavior, or to do good things. Songkran
is a time for cleaning and renewal. Besides washing household Buddha images, many Thais also take
this opportunity to give their home a thorough cleaning. Nowadays, the emphasis is on fun and water-
throwing rather than on the festival's spiritual and religious aspects, which sometimes prompts
complaints from traditionalists. The water is meant as a symbol of washing all of the bad away and is
sometimes filled with fragrant herbs. So, if preparing for a holiday to Thailand this April, pack a rain
coat…no one escapes on Songkran!