I've been searching online for places to see elephants, but all the places only offer rather extensive packages of feeding, bathing etc. I would like to do some paintings of elephants and thus just want a place where I drive myself, pay an entrance fee and sit down like an hour or two. Places where elephants are well treated are much preferred, though they all claim that...

(and yes, I am aware that there is a zoo here).

thank you for any suggestions

Khao Yai National Park, you can drive up, elephants there are wild and roam freely, but you might not be able to pitch a canvas and draw them, they can get quite aggressive towards people 

seems like a rather long drive from Chiang Mai to be trampled by elephants...

You can drive up through Mae Wang to Mae Win and see elephants on the side of the road, nowadays this is where most of the tourists go for an elephant experience!

 

However, those stately beasts may not be interested in your hobby. Suggest you also take a camera as you sit by the riverside.

Try contacting Elephant Valleys in Chiang Rai. They have some elephants there that are just elephants and don't play football or music or paint pictures. Jack Highwood runs the place.

http://www.elephantvalleys.com/

6 hours ago, Boksida said:

Try contacting Elephant Valleys in Chiang Rai. They have some elephants there that are just elephants and don't play football or music or paint pictures. Jack Highwood runs the place.

http://www.elephantvalleys.com/

Damn I wish I had known that earlier, just been to Chiang Rai and would have happily paid the 1k baht per night there instead of a hotel in the city... Might just drive there again soon, thanks

There is an elephant camp in Jomtien, just off Thepprasit Road. It's a good idea to forego riding the elephants since there is apparently some element of abuse in the training process.

8 hours ago, Boksida said:

Try contacting Elephant Valleys in Chiang Rai. They have some elephants there that are just elephants and don't play football or music or paint pictures. 

Well, that’s just plain laziness.