Phangan Elephant Sanctuary is a small ethical sanctuary in the south of Koh Phangan, run by the team behind Samui Elephant Haven. Visitors join a morning or afternoon session to learn about rescued elephants, prepare their food, feed them by hand, and watch them roam freely in the forest. There is no riding, bathing, or performing, which is the main difference between this site and a traditional elephant park koh phangan visitors may have seen advertised elsewhere.
What Visitors Do
Each session follows a similar order.
- Learning the background. Guides start by explaining the history of elephants in Thailand and the individual stories of the elephants living at the sanctuary.
- Making rice balls. Visitors help prepare food by shaping rice balls by hand, guided by the team.
- Hand feeding. The elephants take the rice balls directly from visitors’ hands with their trunks. This is the main moment of close contact during the visit.
- Walking the jungle trail. The group follows a forest trail at a slow pace while the elephants forage for plants. Foraging gives them more food and more natural activity than they had in the camp.
- Watching natural behaviour. Elephants may head to the mud bath, explore, or rest. Visitors observe from a respectful distance, and there is good opportunity for photographs of the elephants without chains or riders.
Meet the Herd
The herd is small, and its members are older females who spent most of their lives working.
- Jai Dee lost all her teeth many years ago, so the team grinds her food fine and soft to help her eat. She is calm and friendly but will defend her space if another elephant comes too close. She was still working in the trekking industry in old age before the sanctuary took her in.
- Yin Dee is around 50 years old and came from a riding camp in Pattaya. The team counts her as one of the herd’s grandmothers.
- Mee Boon spent most of her life being ridden by tourists. During the pandemic she received less food and care and was often chained, which weakened her legs. She spent her final period at the sanctuary and died in July 2023.
The Sanctuary Rules
The Koh Phangan site follows the same ethical rules as its sister sanctuary on Koh Samui:
- No riding. The elephants no longer carry passengers.
- No bathing. They are not made to bathe for visitors’ entertainment.
- No entertaining. There are no shows, tricks, or posed photos.
Anyone comparing options for an elephant park koh phangan can use these three rules as a quick check, since a place offering rides or bathing sessions works on a very different model.
Practical Tips
- Choose a session. Morning and afternoon visits are available. Book in advance through the Samui Elephant Haven website.
- Wear comfortable shoes. The visit includes walking on a jungle trail on a hillside.
- Bring a camera. The best photos usually come from the trail and the mud bath, not just the feeding area.
- Dress for the outdoors. Expect forest paths, mud, and tropical heat.
- Follow the guide. Keep a respectful distance from the elephants outside feeding time.