On 16 December, the large-scale exercise "Thailand International Multi-Hazard Search and Rescue Exercise" took place in Chiang Mai, Thailand. It was organised by our member organisation, the Thailand Rescue Dog Association (Thai RDA), in close cooperation with local authorities. The aim of the exercise was to assess how local and regional rescue teams can manage a complex emergency in the critical early phase, before additional external support arrives.

The exercise ran continuously for around twelve hours, starting at 6:00 and concluding at nightfall. This extended timeframe made it possible to work under realistic operational conditions and to test procedures, cooperation and decision-making over the course of a full operational day.

Six operational search and rescue dogs from Thai RDA were deployed. They were supported by a locally distinctive resource: four trained elephants with their mahout teams. These were provided by regional conservation and elephant protection partners active in the Mae Taeng district. From the outset, dog teams and elephants worked closely together within the same operational structures. The elephants cleared access routes through dense vegetation and steep terrain, transported equipment and supplies, and carried simulated casualties to medical collection points – a role that earned them the informal but fitting title of “elephant ambulances”.

The exercise was built around three demanding emergency scenarios: a simulated helicopter crash in mountainous forest terrain, a landslide affecting a remote village with an additional river incident, and a vehicle accident in a deep ravine. The challenging environments tested the teams in every respect. Nevertheless, they succeeded in locating all missing persons.

While limited training alongside elephants had taken place previously, this was the first time such cooperation occurred within a structured, multi-agency exercise under unified leadership and over an extended duration. The exercise provided valuable experience, particularly in relation to tolerance between the animals, maintaining safe working distances during operations, and coordinated cooperation between mahouts, dog handlers, technical rescue teams and medical personnel.

Exercises such as this reflect the strength of our international network. They demonstrate how internationally recognised standards can be adapted to local operational requirements. At the same time, the experience gained by the Thai teams during this exercise benefits search and rescue dog handlers worldwide.