What is the Best Elephant Sanctuary in Thailand? (6 True Ethical)

Thailand is home to over 80 elephant sanctuaries spread across Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Phuket, and nearby areas.

With so many options, how do you choose the right one? Are they ethical? Which sanctuary is the best to visit for a meaningful, responsible experience?

If you have more questions about which city to visit for elephants, what to expect during an elephant visit, etc., check out our comprehensive guide: How to Ethically Visit Elephants in Thailand.

In this article, we've rounded up the best ethical sanctuaries where you can enjoy meaningful, responsible interactions.

How Do We Select the Elephant Sanctuaries?

If you're looking for an ethical elephant experience, we are on the same page. While there is no single, official definition of "ethical," we base our criteria on the following principles:

• No Riding
• No Shows or Performances
• No Chains or Bullhooks
• Respectful Bathing—Allowing elephants to bathe only if they choose to

In addition to these core principles, we evaluate the overall experience based on our own on-the-ground assessments, guest feedback, and reviews from platforms like TripAdvisor.

Key factors include:

• Comfort and safety of the transfer vehicles
• The attitude and professionalism of the staff
• Group Size—Smaller groups allow for more meaningful interactions
• Smooth operations and well-organized activities

This ensures a meaningful and ethical experience for both you and the elephants.

The Best 6 Ethical Elephant Sanctuaries We Recommended

We select the top 6 elephant sanctuaries in the main destinations around Thailand. No matter which region you go to, you can have an option.

1. Elephant Nature Park, Chiang Mai 

This sanctuary is a favorite for many visitors. As the first sanctuary of its kind in Asia, Elephant Nature Park is home to over 100 rescued elephants and many other animals.

The park is known for its hands-off approach—there's no riding or bathing, allowing the elephants to roam freely. Feeding is the only hands-on activity allowed.

The park offers the SkyWalk tour, which provides a fully hands-off way to observe the elephants from above. It also offers week-long volunteer stays for those who want a more immersive experience. 

2. Somboon Legacy Foundation, Kanchanaburi

For a truly ethical, hands-off elephant experience in Central Thailand, the Somboon Legacy Foundation in Kanchanaburi is an excellent choice.

As a non-profit, the foundation cares for the elderly, and ill, and rescued elephants. With just three elephants and a maximum of 12 visitors per day, the experience is intimate and focused on observation and education. The elephants roam freely on their own schedule, with no feeding or bathing activities for visitors.

3. Phuket Elephant Sanctuary, Phuket 

Phuket Elephant Sanctuary is the island's first ethical sanctuary, home to 20 rescued elephants. Known for pioneering Thailand's no-riding policy, it offers half-day and full-day programs where visitors can feed and walk with the elephants, without any bathing or shows.

A standout feature is Thailand's longest canopy walkway, providing a unique, 100% hands-off way to observe these gentle giants from above.

4. Elephant Hills, Koh Sok National Park  

Elephant Hills is a unique jungle safari camp in Khao Sok National Park, where you can meet elephants in a natural, jungle setting. Unlike traditional sanctuaries, Elephant Hills offers a luxury tented camp experience. Guests can enjoy an immersive, hands-off encounter with the elephants—no riding or performances allowed.

In addition to elephant interactions, Elephant Hills offers activities like kayaking, swimming, and exploring the stunning Cheow Lan Lake. The camp also has a branch in Chiang Mai, offering a 2- to 3-day safari-style experience.

5. Following Giant, Krabi  

For a highly ethical experience in Krabi, Following Giant is a top choice. It meets World Animal Protection's highest welfare standards, with a strict no-touch, no-feeding, and no-bathing policy.

The sanctuary has two camps with spacious, jungle-like environments for the elephants. Each camp limits visitors to 12 per day at Ao Nang and 10 per day at Koh Lanta for the elephants' comfort.

Visitors can walk alongside and observe the elephants from a respectful distance.

6. Samui Elephant Sanctuary, Koh Samui

On Koh Samui, the Samui Elephant Sanctuary offers an ethical experience with a strict no-bathing policy. Visitors can walk alongside the elephants and participate in feeding sessions, providing a respectful interaction.

Ethical Elephant Sanctuaries by Region and Interaction Level

If you're looking to tailor your visit based on the type of interaction you're most comfortable with, here's a breakdown of ethical sanctuaries by region and activity level.

Chiang Mai 

Chiang Mai, located in northern Thailand, is home to some of the most ethical and diverse elephant sanctuaries, offering experiences ranging from hands-off observation to more interactive visits.

100% Hands-Off Sanctuaries

ChangChill Elephant Sanctuary
ChangChill offers a true hands-off experience with four resident elephants, allowing guests to observe them grazing, bathing, and roaming freely in the forest. With smaller group sizes, visitors enjoy an intimate experience while learning about elephant behavior and Karen hill tribe culture.
Location: About 1.5 to 2 hours from Chiang Mai City.

Burm and Emily's Elephant Sanctuary
Burm and Emily's sanctuary is known for its no-contact policy. Unlike typical tourist attractions, this sanctuary does not offer half-day visits or drop-in tours. Visitors join structured, all-inclusive programs that include tree planting, food preparation, and jungle walks with the elephants.
Location: About 1.5 to 2 hours from Chiang Mai City.

Boon Lott's Elephant Sanctuary (BLES)
Located in Sukhothai, BLES is dedicated to providing a low-stress, hands-off environment for elephants. Guests walk with the elephants through protected forests and observe them as they relearn natural behaviors. The sanctuary limits guest numbers to ensure intimacy and tranquility, with a minimum two-night stay.
Location: Sukhothai, approximately 5 hours' drive from Chiang Mai.

Ethical Sanctuaries with Feeding

Elephant Nature Park
Globally recognized for its ethical treatment of elephants, Elephant Nature Park allows visitors to observe elephants in a semi-wild setting. Feeding is the only interactive activity available.
Location: About 1 hour from Chiang Mai City.

The Bush Camp Chiang Mai
This luxury tented sanctuary offers a premium elephant experience with eco-friendly accommodations and upscale tents. Guests can feed the elephants and enjoy Karen cultural experiences while staying overnight in a peaceful retreat.
Location: About 1.5 hours from Chiang Mai City.

Ethical Sanctuaries with Feeding & Respectful Bathing

Elephant Rescue Park
With small group and private half-day tours, Elephant Rescue Park allows guests to feed, walk with, and bathe the elephants, all in a relaxed and intimate setting.
Location: About 30 minutes from Chiang Mai City.

Kanta Elephant Sanctuary
Kanta offers a peaceful home for rescued elephants, where visitors can feed, walk with, and bathe them in natural lagoons. Known for its affordability, Kanta's tours are perfect for families, with prices 12% lower than other sanctuaries.
Location: About 1 hour from Chiang Mai City.

Elephant Jungle Sanctuary
Elephant Jungle Sanctuary offers a range of experiences, from quick 1-hour visits to overnight stays. Activities include feeding, bathing, and walking with elephants. The sanctuary is popular, so expect larger groups, but it's a great option for those looking to interact with elephants if time is limited.
Location: About 1.5 hours from Chiang Mai City.

See more options in our article Top Ethical Elephant Sanctuaries in Chiang Mai.

Bangkok and Nearby Areas

If you're based in Bangkok, there are a few ethical sanctuaries within reach for a day trip.

100% Hands-Off Sanctuaries

Somboon Legacy Foundation, Kanchanaburi
The Somboon Legacy Foundation is a hands-off sanctuary dedicated to the well-being of rescued elephants. With only three elephants, this sanctuary offers a peaceful, natural environment where the elephants roam freely without a set schedule. Visitors can observe the elephants from a distance, with no feeding or bathing experiences.
Location: Kanchanaburi, about 1½ hours from Bangkok

Ethical Sanctuaries with Feeding

Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT)
WFFT is a rescue center and sanctuary for elephants and other wildlife, including monkeys, gibbons, and wild cats. Visitors can tour the wildlife rescue center and hospital, learn about elephant care, and interact with the elephants through feeding—this is the only hands-on activity allowed at the sanctuary.
Location: Phetchaburi Province, about 2 hours drive south of Bangkok

Ethical Sanctuaries with Feeding & Respectful Bathing

Elephants World Sanctuary, Kanchanaburi
Elephants World Sanctuary is one of the largest ethical elephant sanctuaries near Bangkok, home to over 30 elephants. Set along the River Kwai, it offers a peaceful, natural environment for elephants to roam freely. Visitors can feed and bathe the elephants in the river, with no riding or shows.
Location: Kanchanaburi, about 3 hours from Bangkok. 

Elephant Haven, Kanchanaburi
Part of the same family as Elephant Nature Park, this sanctuary offers a hands-on feeding and bathing experience, giving visitors a chance to learn and engage with the elephants respectfully.
Location: Kanchanaburi, approximately 3 hours from Bangkok.

Elephant Jungle Sanctuary, Pattaya
Elephant Jungle Sanctuary, Pattaya is one of the few ethical sanctuaries in the tourist-heavy area of Pattaya, with a strict no-riding, no-show policy. Visitors can feed, walk with, and bathe rescued elephants in a natural, stress-free environment.
Location: Pattaya, approximately 2 hours from Bangkok.

For more recommendations, check our article The Best Elephant Sanctuaries Near Bangkok.

Phuket and Nearby Areas

Phuket and nearby Krabi and Koh Samui also offer a few ethical options, ideal for visitors wanting to experience elephant sanctuaries in southern Thailand.

100% Hands-Off Sanctuaries

Following Giant, Krabi
Following Giant is the only 100% hands-off sanctuary on Thailand's southern islands, meeting the highest welfare standards of World Animal Protection. With no touching, feeding, or bathing, you can observe and walk alongside the elephants from a respectful distance.
Location: in the Ao Nang area of Krabi Province, 30-minute drive from Krabi town and around 1.5 hours from Phuket

Ethical Sanctuaries with Feeding

Phuket Elephant Sanctuary
Phuket Elephant Sanctuary offers an ethical experience where you can feed and walk with rescued elephants in a natural setting. There's no riding or bathing. Enjoy stunning views from Thailand's longest canopy walkway, with a hands-off experience from above.
Location: Phuket, near Pa Klok.

Phuket Elephant Nature Reserve
Phuket Elephant Nature Reserve is one of the few sanctuaries offering private programs, providing exclusive time with the elephants. You can feed, observe, and join them on a jungle walk.
Location: Close to Bang Tao Beach

Ethical Sanctuaries with Feeding & Respectful Bathing

Phang Nga Elephant Park
A family-run park that provides small group experiences with feeding and bathing options, with careful attention to humane practices. Location: Phang Nga, around 1 hour from Phuket.
Location: Near Thung Ka Ngok, a small village in Phang Nga Province

Elephant Jungle Sanctuary, Phuket
Elephant Jungle Sanctuary offers programs like "Feed Me," "Feed & Shower," and "Walk With Elephants," where you can feed, bathe, and walk with elephants, plus enjoy a mud spa.
Location: Three branches in Kathu, Thalang, and Bangtao

Green Elephant Sanctuary Park
At Green Elephant Sanctuary, you can feed elephants, join a mud spa, and cool off under an adventure shower during half-day visits. The sanctuary also runs the Vision Green Elephant Clinic for affordable elephant care.
Location: Close to Surin Beach

For more recommendations, check our article The Best Elephant Sanctuaries in Phuket and Krabi. 

Travel Ethically With Asia HighlightsAt Asia

At Asia Highlights, we believe in responsible travel that helps protect wildlife and supports local communities. When you choose ethical sanctuaries, you're making a positive impact.

Ready for an unforgettable adventure with elephants? Contact us today to start planning your ethical journey in Thailand!

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