Elephant Sanctuary In Thailand, A Must-Do Bucket Item

You should have certain items on your bucket list when visiting Thailand. One such thing should be to spend some time at an elephant sanctuary in Thailand. Elephant sanctuaries have been an intricate part of Thai culture since the 18th century. These sanctuaries have evolved with a push in the 1990s to provide a haven for the elephants.

Elephants have been woven into the Thai culture for centuries and are considered a national symbol. However, the history of how these elephants have been treated, including the forced labor they needed to endure, most certainly tarnishes what seems to be the love for these creatures. Elephants have been used for work-related tasks such as logging for many years. This may seem like a practical purpose given that the animals are the largest land animal on earth, not to mention their high level of intelligence and ability to learn. The old expression, you have a memory like an elephant rings true. These creatures remember. It’s said once an elephant meets you. They will never forget you.

So one must wonder, if the Thai culture has such respect for these fantastic creatures, how can it force them to perform unnatural acts? Like with everything in life, we evolve, and our level of consciousness rises over time. Hence the development of Elephant Sanctuaries in Thailand.

Elephant Sanctuary In Thailand

Let’s introduce what it means to have an elephant sanctuary in Thailand. At first, the concept seemed great, providing a safe harbor for these fantastic creatures. But, unfortunately, as is often the case, money and the prospect of tourism got in the way. Caring for an elephant by providing shelter, food, and medical care at an elephant sanctuary in Thailand is an excellent first step. However, giving riding and circus-like shows while using hooks and chains or bull hooks should raise red flags.

The first elephant sanctuary was established in Thailand to treat elephants with respect and dignity and ensure they live in captivity in the most natural surroundings possible. If you intend to visit any elephant sanctuary in Thailand, please research the elephant sanctuary in Thailand you may want to see before plunking down your money.

To this day, you will continue to find sanctuaries that use chains and bull hooks. Just thinking about this makes me sick to my stomach. Another should control no living creature. To be alive is to be free. The earliest elephant sanctuaries in Thailand were located in the country’s northern regions, near Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. These sanctuaries were established to protect and care for elephants injured or taken from their natural habitat. They were also used as a way for people to see and appreciate them in a safe and natural environment. Over the years, the number of elephant sanctuaries in Thailand has grown, with more than fifty sanctuaries now operating in the country.

These sanctuaries are home to more than two thousand elephants and are a refuge for many endangered species. That’s great and was the original intent from the beginning. An elephant sanctuary in Thailand aims to provide a safe and comfortable home for the animals, where they are treated with respect and dignity. The shelters also provide a haven for the elephants, offering protection from poachers and other threats. The sanctuaries also help to raise awareness of the plight of elephants in the wild and educate people on the importance of protecting the species. 

Elephant sanctuaries are essential to Thailand’s cultural and ecological heritage, and their presence continues to be celebrated today. By providing a safe home for these majestic creatures, the sanctuaries help to ensure their survival for generations to come. I beg you not to support any sanctuary which forces the elephants to do anything they would not do in their natural habitat. At Elephant Freedom Project, an Elephant Sanctuary in Thailand, specifically Chiang Mai, we allow the elephants to be who they are. So if you’re looking for circus tricks or unnatural behavior, it’s best not to visit our sanctuary.

At Elephant Freedom Project, our primary mission is to rescue elephants from abusive surroundings and provide them with the home they deserve. To share this experience with the guests who visit is an honor. You can check out our Facebook account. Each day we post pictures and videos from the previous day’s activities. This lets you see what we do and how our guests interact with the elephants. As you look at the pictures and videos, you may ask, do elephants enjoy mud baths, or is this only for show? Elephants also enjoy swimming and splashing in the water with humans. 

Click on the previous links to get the answers. Elephants are hugely social and love to interact with humans. Please read what our guests have to say by checking out our reviews. These are real testimonials placed by our guests. They speak volumes about the experience you can expect.

In conclusion, there is no need to do any of the negative things I have mentioned in this post to gain additional business when more elephant sanctuaries in Thailand realize that being in the presence of massive creatures and spending time feeding the elephants, hiking with the elephants, or swimming and bathing the elephants is enough to fill the hearts of all who participate.

Visit The Elephant Freedom Project, An ethical elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai, to better understand what I have outlined here. It is an experience of a lifetime and a memory you will savor for many years.