Phuket Elephant Sanctuary

15/10/2026

In Loving Memory of Amphan ❤️

It is with heavy hearts that we share the heartbreaking news of the passing of our beloved Amphan.

At 63 years old, Amphan was the only male elephant at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary and held a very special place in our hearts.

Rescued in May 2022, Amphan had spent much of his life working in the logging industry before finding a peaceful home at our sanctuary. As a male elephant, his rescue was particularly meaningful, as bulls are often highly valued for their strength and breeding potential, making their rescue especially challenging.

Amphan was also a Chang Si-Dor, a naturally tuskless male Asian elephant. Despite his impressive size and strength, he was known for his calm nature and gentle appearance. Watching him wander through the forest, forage for food, dig in the mud, or enjoy a refreshing swim was a beautiful reminder of what life should look like for an elephant.

Sadly, Amphan had been living with chronic kidney disease for some time, a condition that had gradually affected his health.

About a week ago, Amphan lay down in his shelter and was unable to stand again. Our team immediately transferred him to our elephant hospital, where our veterinarians and elephant keepers worked tirelessly to help him recover.

With the support of our hospital's specialized crane system, IV fluids, and round-the-clock care, we did everything possible to give him the best chance of recovery.

Unfortunately, his condition continued to deteriorate. The physical stress associated with his inability to stand resulted in muscle damage, placing additional strain on his already weakened kidneys. Despite everyone's efforts, his body was ultimately unable to recover.

Amphan's passing is a heartbreaking reminder of the complex health challenges that elderly elephants can face, particularly after a lifetime of hard work and when living with chronic medical conditions.

Although we could not give Amphan back the many years he spent working, we are grateful that he was able to spend his final four years surrounded by nature, free to make his own choices and simply be an elephant.

We are deeply grateful to our dedicated veterinary team and mahout Pao, who remained by his side throughout his final days, providing care, comfort, and compassion until the very end.

Rest in peace, Amphan.

14/10/2026

Our Morning with the Elephants program was recently recognized with the Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Award 2026, placing us among the top 1% of listings worldwide!

As Phuket’s high season approaches, we invite you to make your visit truly meaningful by supporting ethical elephant tourism.

Join us for our award-winning experience, discover the inspiring stories of our rescued elephants, and witness the beauty of elephants simply being elephants.

🌐 www.phuketelephantsanctuary.org

09/10/2026

We believe that bathing should be an elephant’s choice, not a tourist activity.

Elephants naturally love spending time in water. Bathing helps them cool down, care for their skin, and simply enjoy themselves. But just like us, they have their own preferences about when, where, and how long they want to bathe.

At Phuket Elephant Sanctuary, we do not offer bathing experiences or other hands-on interactions with our elephants.

Why? Because allowing visitors to bathe with elephants often means controlling when they enter the water, how long they stay, and when they leave. What may seem like a fun and harmless activity for tourists can take away an elephant’s freedom to make these choices.

We believe that truly ethical elephant tourism means putting the elephants’ needs before our desire to interact with them.

By observing from a respectful distance, we can appreciate their natural behaviors without interfering.

The most beautiful elephant experiences are often the ones where we simply let elephants be elephants.

08/10/2026

At Phuket Elephant Sanctuary, every visit is a chance to slow down, walk through our 30-acre forest sanctuary, and witness 12 rescued elephants simply being elephants — roaming freely, foraging, bathing, playing in the mud, and choosing how they spend their day.

We provide the boots - nature provides the rest.

Join one of our inspiring and educational tours and experience ethical elephant tourism in Phuket: https://www.phuketelephantsanctuary.org

07/10/2026

When Vanda does her thing, it’s always best to stand back and observe from a distance. 🙂🌿

01/10/2026

22/09/2026

Sometimes the most inspiring moments are the quiet ones. Here’s Kannika enjoying a mud bath on her own terms - spraying her body, digging with her feet, and exploring roots. Not every action needs a purpose we understand; sometimes it’s simply curiosity, tactile exploration, or play.

What matters is that she gets to decide. When we step back and simply observe, we see real elephant lives—not staged encounters. That choice, that freedom, is what ethical elephant experiences should always be about.

To support our work and experience moments like these for yourself, visit phuketelephantsanctuary.org or send us a message here. We look forward to welcoming you to Phuket’s pioneering ethical elephant sanctuary.

17/09/2026

Have you ever wondered what an elephant hospital looks like?

Now you can step inside Phuket’s first dedicated elephant hospital and discover how our veterinary team cares for some very large—and very special—patients.

Our new interactive page lets you explore seven areas of care, meet the team and read the stories of elephants who have received specialized treatment here.

From blood testing and foot care to recovery support, hydrotherapy and regular weight monitoring, every part of the hospital has been designed around the unique needs of elephants.

Take a look inside: https://www.phuketelephantsanctuary.org/phukets-first-elephant-hospital/

14/09/2026

We’re delighted to be featured by Phuket 101!

Thank you for sharing our story and helping more visitors discover a more respectful way to experience elephants in Phuket — through observation, education and giving rescued elephants the space to simply be elephants.

Phuket Elephant Sanctuary is a permanent home for rescued elephants in the jungle near Bang Pae waterfall, watched from Thailand's longest canopy walkway.

03/09/2026

Thank you The Thaiger for this shout-out and for including Phuket Elephant Sanctuary among your top things to do in Phuket! We’re especially happy to see ethical, observation-based elephant tourism highlighted for families visiting the island.🙏

These are 34 things to do in Phuket for families, couples, solo travellers, foodies and adventure seekers, from beaches and markets to diving.