In January 2002, in order to enlarge the scope of conservation efforts and address the issues facing Thailand's elephants, it was proposed that the TECC be renamed the National Elephant Institute.[1] It is in Hang Chat District, Lampang Province.Chiang Mai University's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine is associated with the institute.[2] The objective of the National Elephant Institute is to develop elephant conservation in a sustainable way and preserve local traditions for future generations.The institute also aims to improve the tourism business, in which there is an extensive involvement of elephants in tourism-related activities, for the benefit of elephants as well as tourists.
