The Suay tribes people make up the population of Ban Ta Klang, which is also known as the Elephant Village, a name that reflects the Suay people’s skill in capturing and training wild elephants. The Suay are thought to have migrated to Thailand from Central Asia in the early 9th century and to have been the first people to make use of elephants for building, in particular for the construction of Khmer temples. Nowadays, Ban Ta Klang is the primary training ground for the Surin Elephant Roundup. Every October, approximately one month before the roundup in Surin itself, Suay tribesmen begin to practise their skills. In the days leading up to the roundup, the training becomes intense. To participate in the roundup, the riders must walk their elephants the 32 miles (50 km) or so south to the outskirts of Surin