Set among forested hills and rural farmland in Chiang Mai’s peaceful Mae Chaem district, Burm & Emily’s Elephant Sanctuary (BEES) is an excellent example of an ethical elephant sanctuary. The guiding principle at BEES is refreshingly simple: a safe, natural home for elephants to just be elephants. For visitors, this means observing elephants as they forage, bathe, rest, and socialise on their own terms. For the elephants themselves, it means a life free from chains, heavy workloads, and constant human demands.
A sanctuary built on compassion
Burm & Emily’s Elephant Sanctuary was founded in 2011 by Burm Pornchai Rinkaew and Emily Rose McWilliam, whose shared concern for elephant welfare brought the project to life. Emily first travelled to Thailand from Australia in 2009 as a teenager and was deeply affected by what she saw in some tourist camps, particularly the treatment of older elephants still working long hours to entertain visitors.
Determined to make a difference, Emily returned to Thailand and settled in Mae Chaem, where she partnered with Burm to create a sanctuary that prioritised welfare over profit. Their vision was never about creating a polished tourist attraction, but about establishing a genuine refuge where elephants could recover physically and emotionally.
Both founders bring valuable expertise to the sanctuary. Emily trained in captive animal management in Australia, while Burm studied tourism in Chiang Mai. Together, they combine international animal welfare standards with deep local knowledge, ensuring the sanctuary operates ethically while remaining closely connected to the surrounding community.
Life at BEES
At Burm & Emily’s Elephant Sanctuary, elephants are not bathed by visitors, made to pose for photos, or trained to perform tricks. Instead, guests are invited to quietly observe daily life in the sanctuary. Elephants roam freely across natural terrain, choose when to bathe in rivers, and interact with one another without interference.
Many of the elephants at BEES were previously employed in logging or tourism, industries that often place significant physical strain on these intelligent animals. Some arrived with injuries, trauma, or advanced age. The sanctuary provides lifelong care, without breeding or trading elephants, and without any expectation that they must ‘earn’ their keep.
This hands-off approach reflects a growing shift in responsible wildlife tourism in Thailand, where ethical observation is increasingly valued over direct interaction.
The Mae Chaem community
One of the defining features of BEES is its strong connection to the Mae Chaem community. Burm grew up in the area, and many of his relatives still live nearby. From the very beginning, local people have been involved in building and maintaining the sanctuary, including accommodation and infrastructure constructed with help from villagers and Burm’s family.
BEES employs local residents full-time and also offers part-time work when additional help is needed for construction or land maintenance. Beyond direct employment, the sanctuary supports nearby businesses by sourcing food, supplies, and services locally. Fruit and vegetables are purchased from local farmers, providing a reliable income stream in a largely agricultural area.
Visitors staying overnight or passing through Mae Chaem are also encouraged to support massage shops, restaurants, and handicraft producers, helping tourism benefits extend beyond the sanctuary itself.
Protecting forests and wildlife
The work at Burm & Emily’s Elephant Sanctuary extends well beyond elephant care. Forest conservation is a major focus, particularly in a region that has experienced deforestation over decades. With the help of visitors, volunteers, and local schoolchildren, BEES has planted thousands of trees as part of ongoing reforestation efforts aimed at restoring natural habitats.
The sanctuary is also home to rescued dogs and cats, many of whom were abandoned or injured. In addition, BEES runs a domestic animal outreach programme within the local community, providing sterilisation, basic veterinary care, and support for animals in need. These initiatives help improve overall animal welfare in the area and reduce suffering beyond the sanctuary gates.
Education and the next generation
Education plays a vital role in BEES’ long-term mission. The sanctuary works closely with local schools, organising clean-up days, volunteer activities, and English language lessons. These exchanges benefit both students and visitors, fostering cultural understanding while raising awareness about animal welfare and environmental protection.
By engaging young people, BEES helps ensure that future generations in Mae Chaem grow up with a strong sense of responsibility toward animals and the natural environment.
Visiting Burm & Emily’s Elephant Sanctuary
The elephant welfare situation in Thailand is complex and shaped by various factors, including history, economics, and local politics. Burm & Emily’s Elephant Sanctuary acknowledges these challenges while focusing on what they can realistically do, which is provide ethical, transparent care to the elephants they have rescued.
For travellers, visiting BEES is an opportunity to support a sanctuary that puts animal welfare first. All visitor revenue goes directly toward caring for the elephants, maintaining the land, and supporting community and conservation programmes.
The sanctuary is located around 2.5 hours south-west of Chiang Mai city, in the scenic Mae Chaem district. While the journey is longer than trips to more commercial elephant camps, many visitors find the experience far more meaningful.
Those interested in ethical wildlife tourism will find BEES to be a powerful example of how tourism, conservation, and community support can work hand in hand. Above all, it is a place where elephants are given the best gift of all: the freedom to simply be elephants.
For more information, visit the BEES website or follow Burm & Emily’s Elephant Sanctuary on social media to learn about their ongoing work, visiting options, and conservation efforts.
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Photos: BEES Facebook page
