Laem Chabang

You could spend your morning nursing a Changover on the beaches of Pattaya-or, far better, haul yourself out of bed early and trek into the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary, where ethical elephant interaction meets gentle chaos. Forget those dubious roadside attractions with sad elephants posing miserably under tourists chasing Instagram likes. Here, the majestic pachyderms-rescued from logging camps and circuses-wander freely, tolerating your clumsy attempts at friendship as you feed them handfuls of bananas (bring extra-these massive vegetarians snack like hungover rugby players). Consider booking at least three days ahead, and budget around 2,500 Thai baht (about $70 USD). Early morning visits are best: cooler temperatures, fewer selfie-stick-wielding travelers, and elephants still bright-eyed and willing to forgive your obvious awe. Pack sunscreen, water, and clothes you're willing to abandon-because mud baths are encouraged, and let's be honest, no amount of washing truly removes elephant mud smell. Sure, you're likely to end the day sweaty, muddy, and possibly humbled by the easy wisdom of these gentle giants-but in exchange, you'll gain a story far more compelling than your usual Pattaya escapades involving questionable seafood and neon-lit regrets.