The topic of ethical elephant tourism is a hot debate. While many travellers dream of interacting with these gentle giants, not all sanctuaries prioritise their well-being. But what does “ethical” really mean, and how do you choose the right one?

Male Elephant Feeding in Elephant Sanctuary in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Why Do Elephants Need Sanctuaries?

Ideally, elephants should live in the wild. But due to deforestation, poaching, and decades of exploitation in industries like logging and tourism, many elephants can’t be safely released. Some have been rescued from circuses, temples, or tourist shows, while others have injuries or behavioural issues that make surviving in the wild impossible.

Ethical sanctuaries step in to care for these elephants, providing food, medical care, and a safe environment. But here’s the issue: elephants are expensive to care for, and some places put profit over welfare.

Not All Elephant Sanctuaries Are Ethical

Just because a place calls itself a sanctuary doesn’t mean it treats its elephants with respect. Many still force elephants to perform unnatural behaviours to entertain tourists. These places often use misleading marketing, so it’s important to look beyond the name and check how the elephants are actually treated.

🚨 Red Flags to Watch Out For

❌ Elephant Rides – If a sanctuary allows elephant riding, avoid it completely. Elephants used for riding go through a cruel training process called phajaan, or "the crush," which involves breaking their spirit through beatings and isolation.

❌ Tricks and Performances – Elephants painting, playing football, or doing tricks? That’s not natural behaviour, it’s a sign of past abuse and ongoing mistreatment.

❌ Breeding Without a Purpose – If a sanctuary is breeding elephants but not releasing them into the wild, those babies will spend their lives in captivity, often used for tourist interactions.

What Makes a Sanctuary Truly Ethical?

If you want to visit a sanctuary that genuinely helps elephants, look for these signs:

✔️ No Forced Human Interaction

✔️ Large, Natural Space

✔️ Rescue and Rehabilitation Focus

✔️ Limited or No Contact

✔️ Clear Transparency

The Hidden Dangers of Elephant Tourism

Even in places marketed as ethical, interactions with elephants can be risky, for both animals and humans. A tragic example occurred in Koh Yao Ya when a Spanish tourist, Blanca Ojanguren García, was fatally injured while bathing an elephant at a so-called sanctuary. Experts suggest the elephant may have been stressed by repeated interactions with tourists. This highlights why true sanctuaries limit human contact and let elephants behave naturally.

Is Elephant Bathing Ethical?

Elephant bathing is a controversial topic in ethical tourism. Some sanctuaries still offer it as an experience for visitors, but the key difference is whether the elephants are forced into the water or enter voluntarily.

At Living Green Elephant Sanctuary, we saw firsthand that some elephants naturally walked into the river to cool off, and visitors could join them.

That said, we wouldn’t personally recommend it and would probably not do it again. Not for ethical reasons as the experience was unforgettable, but for hygiene. Once in the water, the elephants start peeing and pooping, which isn’t exactly the cleanest environment to be in. A friend we made on the tour told us that his cousin got an eye parasite after bathing elephants at a different sanctuary. If you have young kids or open cuts, it’s probably best to avoid this activity!

Different Perspectives on Ethics

Not everyone agrees on what makes a sanctuary ethical. Some believe minimal human interaction is key, while others see offering refuge to former working elephants as progress. The important thing is to do your research and choose what aligns with your values. What do you think makes a sanctuary ethical? Drop your thoughts in the comments.

How to Choose the Right Elephant Sanctuary

🔍 Do Your Research – Check reviews, social media, and travel websites. If a place allows riding, performances, or forced interactions, it’s NOT ethical.

📝 Check Responsible Travel for Guidance – We used Responsible Travel’s list before booking our own experience. It helped us find a genuinely ethical sanctuary.

📢 Ask Questions – If a sanctuary doesn’t openly share where its elephants come from or how they’re treated, that’s a red flag.

It’s not always easy to make these informed choices but if you do decide to visit an elephant sanctuary in Thailand, you’ll likely be heading outside the main cities. Whether you're booking transport, using Google Maps, or researching ethical sanctuaries on the go, having reliable data makes a huge difference. We use iRoamly Travel eSIMs as in our opinion they provide the most flexible and affordable plans. It’s super convenient and easy to use, so make sure to check their plans before you head to Thailand.

Thailand eSIM example prices_iRoamly Travel eSIMs.png

Final Thoughts

Choosing an elephant sanctuary in Thailand isn’t as simple as it seems. Many places use "ethical" as a buzzword, but true sanctuaries focus on rehabilitation, not entertainment.

We’ll be sharing our full experience at Living Green Elephant Sanctuary in an upcoming blog post—so subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated!

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Would you visit an elephant sanctuary in Thailand? Let us know in the comments! If you enjoyed this blog make sure to drop a like and share. 🐘✨