It wasn’t that long ago that elephants were a regular sight in the entertainment areas of Pattaya. Those dark days are in the past, but there is still more that could and should be done to help Thailand’s captive elephants. Fortunately, there is a move toward ethical elephant experiences which is epitomised by the excellent work carried out by Pattaya Elephant Sanctuary.
Renu’s story
Pattaya Elephant Sanctuary was established by a Thai woman named Renu. Born in Surin province in north-east Thailand, Renu has spent her entire life living and working with elephants. Surin province has a long history with elephants dating back to the days of the logging industry, and generations of Renu’s family have been involved with elephants. Renu has inherited valuable knowledge passed down through the generations, and she utilises this expertise to care for the elephants at the Pattaya Elephant Sanctuary.
Renu drew inspiration from the work of another Thai woman, Saengduean ‘Lek’ Chailert, who is well-known for her work with the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai and the Save Elephant Foundation.
Together with her family, Renu dedicated the time and resources needed to turn the dream of an elephant sanctuary into a reality. Initially, the facility in Pattaya was established with three rescued elephants. Two mature female elephants, Thangthai and Somkid, care for a younger elephant named Frank. Pattaya Elephant Sanctuary plans to welcome more rescued elephants in the future.
Responsible Thailand Awards
Renu’s passion for elephant welfare was recognised at the Responsible Thailand Awards 2023 with Pattaya Elephant Sanctuary winning the Green Steps category.
“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 judges
Saddle Off model
Established in 2019, the Pattaya Elephant Sanctuary has embraced the Saddle Off model endorsed by the Asian Elephant Projects. This model ensures no elephant riding, no use of bull-hooks and no degrading shows. The goal of this model is to enhance the lives of elephants by allowing them to live in natural surroundings, interact as a herd, and have the freedom to roam and forage.
Visit Pattaya Elephant Sanctuary
Guests at Pattaya Elephant Sanctuary have the opportunity to spend time with a small herd of rescued elephants who now live together as a family. Under the attentive care of the staff, you can feed the elephants and accompany them along jungle trails as they search for food. You can also witness the social interactions of the elephants as they enjoy a refreshing mud bath and engage with each other in their natural surroundings.
The sanctuary is situated near the beach resort city of Pattaya. If you’re visiting Pattaya, Ko Samet, or other locations along Thailand’s East Coast, consider a visit to Pattaya Elephant Sanctuary. Your visit directly contributes to the sanctuary and the efforts of Renu and her dedicated team.
For more information on Pattaya Elephant Sanctuary or to arrange a visit, check the links below:
All photos used on this page are from the Pattaya Elephant Sanctuary Facebook page.
