The elephant rescue mission in Thailand has resulted in a growing interest into ethical elephant sanctuaries in Thailand, in an effort to stop unethical practices such as using elephants for entertainment and laborious tasks. With more and more visitors coming to Thailand to see these beautiful innocent creatures, it is important to separate an unethical elephant sanctuary from an unethical one.
We recently compiled a list of ethical elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai, but for this article, we are taking you to the southern coast of Phuket where it is also home to retired elephants saved from various circuses and logging sites.
At these elephant sanctuaries in Phuket, you will not find elephant trekking, elephant shows or any elephant-abusing activities, instead, visitors will get to spectate the elephants as they live harmoniously in the wild, feed the elephants and give them mud baths. If you are interested in visiting these lovely creatures and contributing to the sustainability of the parks, read on to discover the many ethical elephant sanctuaries in Phuket.
1. Elephant Jungle sanctuary in Phuket
Location: Kathu, Phuket, Thailand
- Learning about the history of elephants at the park
- Engage in preparing medicine for the elephants
- Learn about elephant physical examination
- Feeding and showering with elephants
- Enjoying Thai traditional food
2. Phuket Elephant Sanctuary
Location: Paklok, Thalang, Phuket Thailand
- First ethical elephant sanctuary in Phuket
- 100% hand-off activities
- Short and non-intrusive feeding
- Thailand’s longest canopy walkway to observe the elephants roam, forage, and bath
- Vegan/vegetarian Thai buffet to relax on their Tree Top Reception
- Volunteer program
3. Phuket Elephant House Sanctuary
Location: Thalang, Phuket, Thailand
- Getting to learn about elephants such as how they behave
- Walk with elephants
- Feed the elephants
- Join the elephants in a mud spa
- Preparing medicine for elephants
4. Phuket elephant nature reserve
Location: Thalang, Phuket, Thailand
- Free roaming and foraging elephants
- No riding, chaining, and bathing of elephants
- Educating on elephant welfare
- Preparing elephant herbal medicine
- Environmental conservation practices with elephant dung recycling
- Complimentary Thai cooking demonstration
5. Green Elephant Sanctuary Park Phuket
Location: Thalang, Phuket, Thailand
- Rich authentic Thai buffet
- Elephants feeding to both adult and baby elephants
- Mud spa with elephants
- Rain shower-like spray under an XXL elephant shower
- Washing elephants in big fresh-water pools
6. Bukit Elephant Park - elephant sanctuary in Phuket
Location: Cha-long sub district, Phuket, Thailand
- Vast natural park with various greeneries for elephants to roam
- A panoramic view of Klong Kata reservoir while observing elephants in their natural habitat
- Experience harmoniously living with elephants in an animal friendly manner
- The park does not offer elephant rides or bathing activity
- Rubber tapping activity
- Making coconut milk and a brief cooking session of Thai food.
7. Tonsai Elephant Care Camp Phuket
Location: Patong, Phuket Thailand
- One of the few sanctuaries in Phuket that allows elephants to roam around
- Family run sanctuary that cares for elephants well-being
- Pad Thai cooking class at the camp (for specific package)
- 1km walk to Patong beach
8. Elephant wildlife sanctuary Phuket
Location: Choeng Thale, Thalang, Phuket Thailand
- The sanctuary emphasize on the mental and physical wellbeing of elephants
- Feeding and bathing activity
- Giving elephants a mud spa
- Take part in an aromatic oil massage for elephants
