Why Are Elephants So Popular in Thailand?

Elephants top numerous travelers' bucket lists for a Thailand trip. Why are they so popular in Thailand? And how can you engage with them in a way that respects these magnificent creatures?

Let's dive into the story behind Thailand's elephant tourism, how it evolved, and how you can make the most responsible travel choices.

Elephants and Thailand: from Cultural Icons to Top Stars in Tourism

Elephants have long held a revered place in Thai culture, their roles shifting from symbols of royal power to essential laborers, and eventually to protected animals in modern conservation efforts.

Ancient Times: a Symbol of Royal Power

In Thailand, elephants are thought to bring strength, wisdom, and good luck. The white elephant, called Chang Sam Lang, is a symbol of Thailand's royal family.

In Thai history, finding a white elephant was often believed to be a great sign for the whole country. The more elephants a king possessed, the more status and power he had.

13th to 19th Century: Battlefield Heroes

The first recorded use of elephants in warfare in Thailand dates back to the Sukhothai Kingdom (1238–1438), the earliest known Thai kingdom to employ elephants in military strategies.

This is documented in the Sukhothai inscriptions, specifically the Ramkhamhaeng Inscription. It provides insights into the kingdom's military practices, including the use of elephants as effective war animals.

According to the Royal Chronicles of Ayutthaya, the Battle of Nong Sarai (1593) is one of the most famous events in Thai history involving war elephants. This triumph symbolized Thai strength and cemented elephants as cultural icons.

Mid-19th to Mid-20th Century: Essential Transporting Labor

By the mid-1800s, Thailand was transitioning toward a peaceful, modernized society. This period saw a huge demand for teak wood, which led to the rapid expansion of the logging industry.

However, the thick forests made machinery ineffective for transporting heavy logs across rough terrain. As a result, elephants, with their immense strength, became essential for hauling the logs.

By 1884, up to 20,000 elephants were working in transport in northern Thailand, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.

1970s to 1990s: a New Star in Elephant Tourism

In the 1970s, with Thailand's gradual ban on logging (which was officially implemented in 1989), the role of elephants in the economy changed dramatically.

Many elephants were brought into the tourism industry, where they were trained for performances, rides, and interactions with tourists. This period marked a shift in public perception, as elephants became an integral part of Thailand's tourism culture.

However, these activities always involved cruel training methods, known as "phajaan", using hooks and chains to force elephants into submission. These elephants also endure long working hours, facing a constant stream of visitors each day. The resulting psychological stress has led to incidents of elephants harming people.

2000s to 2010s: a Growing Focus on Elephant Welfare

With increased awareness of elephant abuse, the whole idea of elephant tourism is moving in a more ethical direction.

In 1993, the Thai Elephant Conservation Center stepped up first and offered a one-stop facility with a hospital, conservation programs, and a mahout school.

Just a few years later, in 1996, Elephant Nature Park became Thailand's pioneering rescue and rehabilitation center. Against elephant riding, it set a new ethical standard for ethical sanctuaries by allowing elephants to roam freely, limiting daily visitors, and permitting only distant observation. Today, Thailand is home to over 80 ethical sanctuaries that prioritize elephants' natural behaviors over performances or rides.

Building on this progress, World Animal Protection advocated Wildlife. Not Entertainers to oppose elephant rides and performances in 2014. Big names in travel, such as Intrepid and Responsible Travel, have since dropped elephant rides from their tours altogether.

2019 to Present: Challenges in the Aftermath of COVID-19

COVID-19 hit Thailand's elephant tourism hard, especially Thailand's captive elephants. During the pandemic, many riding camps went bankrupt, so that their jobless elephants faced the crises of being abandoned, food shortages, and poor health.

During this crisis, only top-rated sanctuaries survived and fewer no-touching sanctuaries are available nowadays. Creditable for elephant welfare, they could receive donations from animal lovers or government aid. 

However, due to the heavy burden of feeding rescued elephants, these sanctuaries had to adapt. To generate income, they began offering limited activities, such as feeding and respectful bathing.

The pandemic showed us that ethical sanctuaries are the true path forward, creating safe havens for elephants against all odds. If you want to connect with elephants, choose ethical sanctuaries — support them and help them go further.

How Can Travelers Engage with Elephants in Thailand?

Elephants are the ultimate highlight of any Thailand trip and, for many, meeting these gentle giants up close is a dream come true.

In Thailand, you could encounter these lovely giants in various ways, through ethical sanctuaries, hands-off observation, and, unfortunately, some traditional riding camps.

Close Encounters at Ethical Sanctuaries and Shelters

These ethical sanctuaries prioritize elephant welfare, generally known for the key practices: no riding, no shows or performances, and no chains or bullhooks.

They usually offer programs ranging from 2 hours to week-long for visitors to interact with elephants up close. They also limit group sizes to reduce stress on the elephants.

What could you do during these programs? You would make food for the elephants, feed them, and walk with them. Bathing elephants, however, is a more controversial activity.

For ethical practices, we advocate no bathing to ensure minimal interference with elephants. If not, choose sanctuaries with respectful bathing — allowing elephants to bathe only if they choose to.

Check out the top ethical sanctuaries in Thailand for more details.

Observation Only at Hands-Off Sanctuaries or in the Wild

The most ethical approach is observation only. This type of interaction is more passive, emphasizing a respectful distance to avoid disrupting the elephants' routines.

In Thailand, there are a few sanctuaries offering observation only, such as Somboon Legacy Foundation in Kanchanaburi and Following Giants in Krabi.

Spotting them in the wild is another thrilling experience to see their natural behaviors. Kui Buri National Park stands out for the highest chance of encountering wild elephants.  

Traditional Riding Camps (DON'T GO)

While their popularity has declined, some camps in tourist hot spots like Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Pattaya still offer elephant rides and treks. In these camps, elephants are often forced to carry tourists on long jungle trails or perform circus-like tricks for entertainment.

As a travel agent insisting on responsible travel, we're firmly against these camps. This is because the elephants involved were frequently restricted from their freedom and endured the use of bullhooks and chains.

Thailand's Efforts in Elephant Conservation

To protect elephants, the Thai government passed laws like the Wild Animal Conservation and Protection Act, which forbids trading and killing wild elephants.

They also regulated that all captive elephants be registered. National parks, such as Kui Buri and Khao Yai, were established to guarantee their natural habitat.

Additionally, the government created National Elephant Day on March 13th to raise awareness about elephant conservation and honor these animals annually.

Key milestones:

• 1921: The Wild Elephant Protection Act was passed, prohibiting the killing or capture of wild elephants.
• 1992: Elephants were included under the Animal Protection Act.
• 1998: National Thai Elephant Day was annually set on March 13th.
• 2010: Initiatives to protect wild elephant populations began.
• 2015: Standards for ethical elephant sanctuaries were introduced.
• 2018: The Domestic Elephant Management Act was drafted for better welfare.
• 2020: The government issued guidelines for ethical elephant tourism.