Tourist poses while seated on an elephant’s trunk

After paying the elephant, who then passes the bill to the mahout, a tourist poses for photos while seated on the elephant's trunk. Surin, Thailand. This photo was created for a story 'What you should know before visiting elephants in Thailand.'

After paying the elephant, who then passes the bill to the mahout, a tourist poses for photos while seated on the elephant’s trunk. Surin, Thailand. This photo was created for a story ‘What you should know before visiting elephants in Thailand.’

Mahout walks with Elephant in Downtown Surin

A mahout walks his elephant in downtown Surin by resting his hand on the elephant's tusk. This photo was taken as part of a story 'What you should know before visiting elephants in Thailand' created in 2015.

A mahout walks his elephant in downtown Surin by resting his hand on the elephant’s tusk. This photo was taken as part of a story ‘What you should know before visiting elephants in Thailand’ created in 2015.

Mahouts outside cafe in downtown Surin, Thailand.

Mahouts wait for riders in downtown Surin as travelers drink beer. This photo was taken as part of a story 'What you should know before visiting elephants in Thailand' created in 2015.

Mahouts wait for riders in downtown Surin as travelers drink beer. This photo was taken as part of a story ‘What you should know before visiting elephants in Thailand’ created in 2015.

Mahouts in Surin

A mahout poses while waiting for riders in downtown Surin.

A mahout poses while waiting for riders in downtown Surin.