Responsible Thailand Awards: Pattaya Elephant Sanctuary

As recently as the early 2000s, elephants were still a common sight on the streets of Pattaya. With a backdrop of neon lights, mahouts could often be seen with their elephants amidst the throngs of tourists on Pattaya’s Walking Street. The elephant handlers asked for donations in return for photo opportunities and the chance to feed the elephants with bananas and sugarcane. Fortunately, those days are gone. Although there is still more work to be done, attitudes are changing for the better as visitors to Thailand become more aware of the different issues involved with elephants in tourism. While the appeal of interacting with elephants is still there, so too is the desire for more ethical experiences. And it is thanks to the work of organisations like Pattaya Elephant Sanctuary that visitors to Thailand can see elephants, but still support responsible tourism.

From Surin to Pattaya

Pattaya Elephant Sanctuary was founded by a Thai woman called Renu. Born in Surin province in north-east Thailand, Renu has lived and worked with elephants all her life. The province of Surin has a long association with elephants dating back to the days of the logging industry and several generations of Renu’s family have worked with elephants. Renu has been the beneficiary of the knowledge that has been passed down through the generations and puts that expertise to the best possible use with the animals in her care at the Pattaya Elephant Sanctuary.

Saddle Off

Pattaya Elephant Sanctuary was established in 2019 and adopted the Saddle Off model endorsed by Asian Elephant Projects. This means there is no elephant riding, no performing in shows, and no bull-hooks. The Saddle Off model aims to provide a better life for elephants allowing them to live in natural surroundings where they can interact as a herd and roam and forage.

Renu’s courage and will to protect abused elephants has led to this wonderful and necessary sanctuary that shows a better way to treat elephants in the name of tourism. There isn’t a more deserving initiative to win this award – she’s an inspiration to us all.”

– Responsible Thailand Awards judging panel

Renu’s work and compassion resonated with the judges of the Responsible Thailand Awards 2023. Presenting her with the Green Steps Award the judging panel said, “Renu’s courage and will to protect abused elephants has led to this wonderful and necessary sanctuary that shows a better way to treat elephants in the name of tourism. There isn’t a more deserving initiative to win this award – she’s an inspiration to us all.”

Renu was herself inspired by the work of another Thai woman, Saengduean ‘Lek’ Chailert. Lek is renowned for her work with Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai and the Save Elephant Foundation. Along with her family, Renu invested the necessary time and money needed to make the dream of an elephant sanctuary become a reality. The sanctuary in Pattaya was initially set up with three rescued elephants. Two mature female elephants, Thangthai and Somkid, take care of the younger elephant named Frank. Pattaya Elephant Sanctuary plans to bring more rescued elephants here in the future.

Visit Pattaya Elephant Sanctuary

Visitors can spend time with this small herd of rescued elephants who are now living together as a family. Under the watchful supervision of the staff, you can feed the elephants and walk with them along jungle trails as they forage for food. You can also see the social nature of the elephants as they take a cooling mud bath and interact with each other in their pool.

Pattaya Elephant Sanctuary is located in the Sattahip district to the south of the resort city of Pattaya. If you’re visiting Pattaya, Ko Samet or other locations along Thailand’s East Coast, consider a visit to this award-winning elephant sanctuary. Your visit directly supports the sanctuary and the work of Renu and her team.

For more information about Pattaya Elephant Sanctuary, check out the links here:
Website | Facebook | Instagram

Photos from Pattaya Elephant Sanctuary Facebook page

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