Where to see elephants in Thailand: Top 5 locations

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Absolutely, Kanha! Here's a deeper look into each of the top 5 elephant sanctuaries in Thailand — perfect for your storytelling or travel planning 🐘✨



🌿 1. Elephant Nature Park – Chiang Mai



  • Founded by: Lek Chailert, a renowned elephant rights advocate.

  • Location: 60 km north of Chiang Mai city in Mae Taeng District.

  • Size: 250 acres of lush valley.

  • Activities:

    • Half-day, full-day, and overnight visits.

    • Walks with elephants, feeding, and observing natural behaviors.

    • SkyWalk canopy experience for a bird’s-eye view.

  • Other animals: Home to rescued dogs, cats, buffalo, and more.

  • Booking: Must be done in advance via .

  • Fun fact: They’ve rescued over 200 elephants and helped transform other camps into ethical sanctuaries.

🌄 2. Elephant Haven – Kanchanaburi



  • Location: Sai Yok, near Sai Yok National Park.

  • History: Former trekking camp turned ethical sanctuary in 2015.

  • Experience:

    • Prepare food, feed elephants, walk through the jungle, and bathe them in the river.

    • Half-day and full-day programs available.

  • Atmosphere: Peaceful riverside setting with forest trails.

  • Booking: Via .

  • Note: Visitors rave about the genuine care and freedom the elephants enjoy.

🌴 3. Samui Elephant Sanctuary – Koh Samui



  • Locations: Bophut and Chaweng Noi.

  • Established: 2018 (Bophut) and 2020 (Chaweng Noi).

  • Programs:

    • Morning and afternoon 3-hour tours.

    • Feed, walk with, and observe elephants in natural enclosures.

  • Ethics: No riding, no bathing, no tricks — just observation and gentle interaction.

  • Booking: Through .

  • Highlight: Custom-built pools and mud pits for elephant playtime.

🌊 4. Phuket Elephant Sanctuary – Phuket



  • Location: Bordering Khao Phra Thaeo National Park.

  • Size: 30 acres of tropical jungle.

  • Unique feature: Thailand’s longest canopy walkway for observing elephants from above.

  • Programs:

    • Half-day and 90-minute tours.

    • Learn about each elephant’s rescue story and observe them roam, forage, and bathe.

  • Booking: Via .

  • Bonus: Phuket’s first elephant hospital is located here.

🌿 5. Boon Lott’s Elephant Sanctuary (BLES) – Sukhothai



  • Location: Si Satchanalai, Sukhothai Province.

  • Founded: In memory of a baby elephant named Boon Lott.

  • Experience:

    • Intimate, immersive stays with limited guests.

    • Walks with elephants, forest foraging, and deep storytelling.

  • Mission: Rescue elephants from abuse and allow them to rediscover natural behaviors.

  • Booking: Through .

  • Note: Guests often describe it as life-changing and deeply emotional.

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