Tonsai Elephant Sanctuary Park Patong — Attraction in Patong

We were picked up from our hotel, which was convenient, and at first the experience seemed promising. We weren’t sure which package to choose, but we decided on the feeding and bathing option. Feeding the elephants was definitely the highlight – they are such beautiful animals, and we loved being up close with them.

However, the rest of the visit left us feeling very uncomfortable. After feeding, most people left and it was just my spouse and I with the staff. They had us walk the elephants into the woods, but it was clear the elephants wanted to do their own thing. Instead, the handlers yelled at them, poked them with sticks, and even pinched them while laughing as if it was a joke. Twice I heard an elephant cry out in pain, which was heartbreaking. This did not feel like a true sanctuary, but more like animals being forced to perform for tourists.

The woman with us followed constantly taking photos, while two men managed the elephants in ways that didn’t seem respectful. We were also pushed to swim with the elephants even after I said I didn’t want to, and the water was dirty with elephant waste. Although swimming was a unique experience, it was also unhygienic and felt forced.

I left feeling sad for the elephants and regretful about supporting this place. These animals deserve to be free and cared for, not prodded and made to entertain visitors. If you go, I would recommend only doing the feeding portion – but honestly, I DONT recommend this sanctuary as it IS NOT ethical.

On top of that, when I asked if the photos were included in the package, I was told they were not, and we had to pay an extra 300 baht. This was never mentioned beforehand and should have been made clear. The showers were available but smelled strongly of sewage, which was hard for us to use due to the smell.

My tips for the business: • Stop abusing and forcing the elephants. A true sanctuary does not prod, pinch, or scare animals into performing. • Be upfront about costs — hidden fees like the photo charge are dishonest. • Clean up the facilities. Showers that smell like sewage and dirty bathing water are unacceptable. • Respect your visitors when they say no. Forcing people into activities they don’t want ruins...

The hosts seemed very respectful of the elephants and the elephants looked like they were having a good life. We messaged them using their WhatsApp number and they were so chill and told us we could just walk in and choose which programme we wanted. No prior booking and no fixed timing. We chose the "Hello Elephant" package which included banana feeding, accompanying the elephants as they grazed on the side of the mountain where they live, the elephants having a mud bath and a bath in a small lake. You will get wet and muddy in this package! You can get as close as you want to the elephants and keep stroking them or cuddling them (respectfully) as they grazed and ate and bathed. They had a staff take photos of us during the entire experience and they gave the lovely shots to us when we were done, including one short video montage 😅🙌🏼. Our package included a pad thai lunch deal but we didn't know they'd let us cook it ourselves (you can specify you want halal food). The mangoes were also so yummy!! The lunch portions were generous!!! The people were kind and the elephants had very cute personalities and looked really happy to be fed and spend the day eating and bathing. One staff even offered us a ride back to our hotel with no charge. NO ELEPHANT RIDING AND NO WHIPS OR CANES TO DIRECT THE ELEPHANTS. Which we are so...

What a GREAT experience!!!🐘🐘🥰

We cannot recommend highly enough this amazing place! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Firstly they answered all our questions while the booking process and they arranged to pick us up from the hotel. 🚌

Once we arrived at their Care Camp, (we were lucky because was not the commercial busy place which only care about getting the money), but they did a professional introduction and treated us a traditional drink which was very kind of them! 🧉

We put mosquito cream on🦟🚫, washed well our hands 🤲🧼🚿and started the programme Trek with me which included Feeding of the elephants 🍌🐘 and a 1hr walk with them in the Camp. Elephants were so friendly and they give you an unbelievable vibe,especially if is the first time you come in contact with them! After the completion of our programme, they treated us again with snacks and coconut water🥥 , sent us FOR FREE all the pictures by Airdrop 📱 and arranged transfer 🚍 back to the hotel! 🏨

If you want to support an ethical place where they really care about the elephants 🐘 then you know why to choose Tonsai! ❤️

#TonsaiElephant #Feedtheelephant #walkwiththeelephant #carefortheelephant...