Thai your hand as an elephant rescuer... The rise of 'responsible' travel experiences - with no riding allowed

In the wake of the death last October of the Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the year of mourning has clipped the wings of Thailand’s beach party lovers, and the backpacker crowd are heading elsewhere.

Maybe Thailand should use this as a chance to promote some of its lesser-known attractions.

A glance at Trip Advisor finds the Lanta Animal Welfare Centre at number three in the top ten list of things to do - ahead of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha or Sukhothai Historical Park.

Here visitors get to interact with animals. However, they are not exotic animals - but cats and dogs.

Lanta rescues abandoned animals from all over Thailand and, to help pay for their rehabilitation, welcomes visitors who are given tours by volunteers.

Taking a dog for a run on the beach or cuddling up with cats (the centre has more than 50 cats and kittens) can make a holiday.

Visitors are also invited to help with daily tasks from grooming the animals to gardening.

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