Elephant experiences rank among Thailand’s top tourist attractions, yet travelers are urged to prioritize ethical practices by avoiding direct contact with the animals at elephant camps. The recent call from World Animal Protection Thailand advocates for a ban on hands-on activities like bathing and feeding elephants to safeguard the well-being of these majestic creatures.
Tourists often struggle to find truly ethical no-touch sanctuaries, with many choosing to forgo the experience entirely. According to the Livestock Department, Chiang Mai, a major hub for elephant tourism in Thailand, houses approximately 90 camps and is home to 871 elephants available for public viewing.
Despite numerous sanctuaries marketing themselves as “ethical,” many still offer mud-bathing experiences and close interactions with elephants. “It was challenging to find a sanctuary that genuinely upheld ethical standards, as most claimed to be,” shared LuLu Foures, a tourist from France. “Upon further investigation, we found that many encouraged feeding or bathing, yet still called themselves ethical.”
The tragic death of a 22-year-old Spanish tourist at Koh Yao Elephant Care Centre in December 2024 has heightened concerns, leading travelers to be more cautious when selecting elephant experiences. Maggie Gibson, a 22-year-old visitor from New Zealand, emphasized the importance of choosing no-touch sanctuaries, stating, “We should not touch elephants because they do not want to be touched.”
Current statistics from the Livestock Department reveal that there are 5,359 domesticated elephants within 245 camps across Thailand, with 55.8% of elephants living in facilities that rely on tourism for their livelihood, as reported by Trunks Up, an organization dedicated to protecting Asian elephants.
Trunks Up highlights the grim reality of commercial elephant tourism, noting the prevalence of greenwashing tactics among businesses that market themselves as sanctuaries while operating in abusive environments for the elephants.
Catherine Baldwin, a traveler from the UK, expressed skepticism about visiting elephant sanctuaries altogether. “Even with thorough research, it’s hard to guarantee that you’ll receive accurate information, which makes it challenging to enjoy the experience,” she remarked.
Blue Daily Elephant Care Sanctuary in Chiang Mai exemplifies a no-touch, no-bathing, no-feeding model, allowing tourists to observe rescued elephants in a safe and respectful manner from a distance.
Billy, a guide with a decade of experience at the sanctuary, noted, “Our priority is to ensure the happiness of the elephants. We want to see them thriving without being touched.”
This sanctuary serves as a safe haven for five rescued elephants who have retired from years of forced labor in the logging industry. Here, they enjoy 50 acres of land to roam freely.
Each elephant is attended to by a mahout from the Karen tribe, where knowledge about elephant care has been handed down through generations. Billy explained the difference at Blue Daily: “Unlike many sanctuaries, we don’t allow tourists to bathe or feed the elephants, as they should have the freedom to decide for themselves.”
LuLu, after extensive research on ethical practices, selected Blue Daily for her experience in Chiang Mai. “It’s crucial to let the elephants be themselves. We followed their lead and moved at their pace; it was their choice to approach us, not the other way around,” she shared.
World Animal Protection (WAP) previously estimated that elephant tourism generated up to $770 million annually for Thailand before the COVID-19 pandemic, which severely affected the industry and strained the resources of many sanctuaries. Fortunately, Blue Daily managed to survive the pandemic thanks to generous donations.
Another traveler, who preferred to remain anonymous, volunteered at Chiang Mai’s Elephant Nature Park, established by a notable figure in elephant protection. The volunteer participated in restoring the park after flooding, working alongside others to care for the elephants and learn about their needs. “Initially, there was some apprehension about the sanctuary’s ethics, but that concern vanished after witnessing the dedication to the elephants’ care,” the volunteer commented.
The sanctuary is currently developing a skywalk to ensure an even more hands-off approach for visitors, emphasizing animal welfare. As discussions about the implications of elephant tourism persist, the balance between supporting local livelihoods and ensuring ethical treatment of elephants remains critical.
However, the danger of “ethical” greenwashing in sanctuaries that still allow for touching and bathing experiences may continue to dissuade potential visitors from engaging with the industry.
