Meet Free-Roaming Elephants in These Ethical Sanctuaries in Thailand

Thailand is known for its elephant tourism, but what many don’t know is that a lot of these mammals are being exploited and held in cruel conditions. In an investigation by the World Animal Protection (WAP) in 2017, they found that 77% of the 2,923 elephants found at tourist venues in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Nepal, India, Laos, and Cambodia are treated horribly. The same investigation also revealed that Thailand is using twice as many elephants for tourism compared to other Asian countries. This could mean that a huge number of elephants are being held in captivity, with them chained all day, fed with poor diets, and separated from their mothers as babies to endure harsh training.

As tourists, we should keep in mind to avoid visiting destinations that promote elephants as a form of entertainment. But how will you know if the sanctuary you’re visiting is indeed ethical? The easiest way is to check if they’re NOT advertising services such as bathing, touching, and riding an elephant. A true ethical sanctuary limits contact with humans and allows visitors to only observe elephants from afar.

If it’s in your bucket list to meet the world’s largest mammals, here are some ethical sanctuaries in Thailand where you can meet free-roaming elephants.

Phuket Elephant Sanctuary

Dubbed as the first and most ethical elephant sanctuary in Phuket, Phuket Elephant Sanctuary is a shelter for sick, old, and overworked elephants that had to endure abuse from tourism and logging industries. It features a 600-metre-long and six-meter-tall canopy walkway, which takes ethical tourism to new heights (literally) as visitors can only observe from above. The elephants naturally roam around, eat, bathe, and socialise with other elephants in the sanctuary’s 30-acre land.

Location: Phuket Elephant Sanctuary, 100, Moo 2, Paklok, Thalang, Phuket

Boon Lott’s Elephant Sanctuary

Boon Lott’s Elephant Sanctuary (BLES) is a small sanctuary committed to rescuing and recovering abused Asian elephants. It was founded by Katherine Connor — who quit her job, sold her house, and dismissed her fiancé in 2002 — to become a safe home for elephants where they can relearn social skills and be free. Along with village mahouts, Connor oversees about 535 acres of forested land. BLES also has its own shelter for cats and dogs that were abandoned or suffered injuries from a road accident.

Location: Boon Lott’s Elephant Sanctuary, 304 Mu 5, Baan Na Ton Jan, Tambon Baan Tuek, Si Satchanalai, Sukhothai

Elephant Nature Park

Founded by conservationist Lek Saengduean Chailert, Elephant Nature Park is an elephant rescue and rehabilitation centre in northern Thailand where almost a hundred elephants are free to roam around. It’s also home to other rescued animals such as buffalos, dogs, cats, horses, goats, and birds. Overnight and single-day volunteer programs are available where guests can help improve the living conditions of rescued elephants, such as cleaning and preparing fruits and vegetables.

Location: Elephant Nature Park, 1 Ratmakka Road, Phra Sing, Chiang Mai

Samui Elephant Sanctuary

Samui Elephant Sanctuary is the first ethical sanctuary in Koh Samui founded by Wittaya Sala-ngam. Elephants that used to work in logging and tourist trekking camps are now living here freely as they forage, play in custom-built pools and mud pits, and socialise with other elephants. Since its opening in 2018, it has received various recognitions such as the Best Animal Welfare award from the Tourism Authority of Thailand for two consecutive years and the Best Practice Elephant Venue by leading animal welfare charity World Animal Protection (WAP).

Location: Samui Elephant Sanctuary, 43/2 Taweerat Pakdee Rd., Amphoe Koh Samui, Surat Thani, Surat Thani Province

Burm and Emily’s Elephant Sanctuary

Founded by Burm Pornchai Rinkaew and Emily Rose McWilliam in 2011, Burm and Emily’s Elephant Sanctuary (BEES) is a refuge for old, injured, and retired elephants. Adoptions are available for a six- to one-year period where anyone aged 18 and above can sponsor an elephant, receive regular updates about their chosen elephant’s condition (especially with rehabilitation), and get a certificate of adoption.

For volunteer programs, visitors can help prepare afternoon treats for the elephants and clean specific areas. Other programs such as planting trees, cutting grass, and building shelters are also available depending on the need and season.

Location: Burm and Emily’s Elephant Sanctuary, 34 M1, Ban Thung Yaw, Tambon Chang Keung Chiang Mai, Maechaem