Young Suai men take their elephants for a walk through the jungle in Surin Province, Thailand. Locals of the elephant village of Ban Ta Klang are known for their close bond with elephants, often sharing their house with them. Before the practice was outlawed in 1957, these 'elephant whisperers’ would go into the jungle using their lassos to bring down the animal and take them back to be domesticated by the rest of the villagers.(Nuttawut Jaroenchai/Barcroft Media)

The elephant has been a national icon of Thailand since ancient times. The gentle giants are seen as possessing strength, intelligence and is known as a symbol of good luck. But perhaps nowhere in Thailand is the allure of the elephant stronger than in the village of Ban Ta Klang in the northeastern province of Surin.

Ban Ta Klang is known as Thailand's elephant village, where locals, the Suai people, have raised domesticated elephants and used them to work the land for hundreds of years. They are known for their uniquely close bond with elephants—a bond so close they often share their house with the majestic creatures. Today, about a third of the households in Ban Ta Klang keep elephants as pets, according to Khaosod English.

The village is also home to respected expert elephant catchers, or "mo chang," men that are highly skilled in capturing and taming wild elephants. Before the practice of catching wild elephants was outlawed in 1957, these "elephant whisperers" would go deep into the jungle with lassos made of dried buffalo skin, to catch wild elephants and take them back to be domesticated by the rest of the villagers.

(MORE: 50 Amazing Places to See in Southeast Asia)

However, since the law making it illegal to hunt elephants was introduced, this traditional profession of elephant catching has died out. Today, there are only four living mo chang still living in Ban Ta Klang, according to The Bangkok Post. Since there are no longer any opportunities for catching elephants, the mo chang have instead used their skills to train captive elephants and educate village visitors about the traditional life of members of the community and their legendary elephant catchers.

Photographer Nuttawut Jaroenchai traveled around Surin province, capturing stunning images of Ban Ta Klang villagers and their bond with their pachyderms. "I think it's wonderful that people can communicate with the elephants and live together as a family," he told the Daily Mail. "They have a relationship with elephants in the past that has continued until now and elephants are very special to them."

Tourists who visit Ban Ta Klang can stop by the Elephant Study Centre, which houses and trains many of the elephants that perform in the famous elephant festival of Surin. It is also home to museum that discusses elephants and elephant training, and features exhibitions on the village's history of elephant catching. However, those who are sensitive to animal welfare may want to think about whether a visit to the centre is the right thing to do. But within the grounds is the Surin Project,affiliated with the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai. Visitors can sign up for volunteering activities with the project to work side-by-side with the mahouts caring for the elephants, cutting food, doing construction and more, according to Lonely Planet.

MORE ON WEATHER.COM: Winning Images from the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

Highly Commended. 'It's not funny...I've got cramp in my flipper!' (Julie Hunt / Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards)