What Makes the Best Elephant Sanctuaries in Thailand?

Many of the visitors to Thailand these days are eco-conscious travellers who want to enjoy a sustainable experience and visit an elephant sanctuary that benefits the animals as well as themselves. But how do they decide which are the best elephant sanctuaries in Thailand to visit?

The plight of Thailand’s elephants has been greatly improved by the actions of environmental organisations and individuals. Their work has been shared across the internet, and it’s been through this free publicity that the sad situation of Thailand’s elephants has become known worldwide. 

Many of the tourists visiting the country have arrived with a specific goal of meeting and interacting with the elephants, and providing support to the sanctuaries that feed, care for and house these elephants. But they have to know which sanctuaries are offering a safe haven for their animals.  

Researching the Good Sanctuaries

The best way to find out the sanctuaries that support a cruelty-free future for Thailand’s elephants is to go online and find out the most popular sanctuaries with groups of like-minded people. 

You can also check the sanctuary’s website to see if they are endorsed by any known associations or ecological groups. If they are, it generally means that their practices are above-board and they’re working for the good of the elephants.

Checklist of Cruelty-free Practices

You want to check to see if they treat their animals well and have dispensed with all the old tourist amusements that used to attract visitors to the parks. 

No Riding

Some of the animals in the sanctuaries are old elephants who have been in the tourism industry carrying riders. They’ve developed crippling back problems because of this. A sanctuary is supposed to be a place where an elephant can live out their lives in peace and comfort. Any supposed ‘sanctuary’ that allows their animals to be ridden is one you should avoid visiting or giving any money to. 

No Performances

Elephants are highly intelligent animals that can be taught to perform tricks for tourists. But forcing an elephant to do anything is cruel and barbaric. The idea of a sanctuary is to provide as close to a natural environment and life for the elephants as possible. And elephants in the wild don’t do tricks for tourists.

No Polo Games

Elephant polo became popular in India in the days of the British Raj. Sadly, it has persisted into the present day, and the games are staged in Thailand as well. It’s a cruel practise where elephants are forced to run around on a field carrying passengers on their backs in the hot sun. They often suffer from heat exhaustion and stress. 

On top of these three big prohibitions, the sanctuary should provide medical attention for all their animals and plenty of fresh foods, including greens. They should also have access to a large source of freshwater for bathing the elephants and ensuring they stay well-hydrated. 

To visit an ethical and caring elephant organisation of sanctuaries, visit the Elephant Jungle Sanctuaries and help support the elephants of Thailand. There is an Elephant Jungle Sanctuary in Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Phuket and Samui.