Phuket Elephant Care — Attraction in Sakhu

Honestly crying a little in the taxi on the way back to my accommodation.

Not to give my whole life story but travelling solo as my partner had a motorbike accident and couldn’t come (He’s okay though). And honestly been feeling a little lost on my own as I feel a lot of activities are more fun when you can share them with loved ones. But the one thing I wanted to do while I’m in Thailand is to see some elephants.

It was really important to me to find somewhere ethical but still be able to get up close and personal with the elephants as they are just such majestic creatures. So I did a lot of research and chose Phuket Elephant Care. I went for the whole day experience as I felt a half day wouldn’t be enough for me, and I am so glad that I did. ❤️

From start to finish the people made me feel so special which is just what I needed considering how I had been feeling. They were all so kind and knowledgable and welcoming.

We started by learning some facts about the elephants and then went to prepare food for them. They showed us how they make the vitamin balls with the medicine inside to keep the elephants healthy. Then we went to feed some of the elephants.

After this, I was separated from the group as I happened to be the only one who had paid for the whole day and it was time for me to walk with one of the elephants. Jimmy was my guide and we took Boom for a walk in the jungle. I got to see some of the 70acres of land that the elephants get to roam about in and Jimmy was so knowledgable teaching me all about the elephants and how they are rescued from different conditions and given a new life. I feel so blessed to have been the only person who paid for the whole day and getting a one on one experience with the elephant and her Mahout/carer. 🥹

Then I was taken for lunch and I was well looked after being a vegetarian. There was plenty of amazing food just for me.

Next I changed into my swimsuit and went for a one-on-one mud spa, bath and shower with Boom and scrubbed her as she splashed about. I don’t speak elephant but she appeared to be a very pampered and happy girl.

Then I got myself showered (towels provided and bags for wet clothes) and I was given a one on one cooking lesson, learning to make Pad-Thai and spicy salad which was delicious. 😋

And to finish off with I was given paints and some elephant magnets to decorate as a perfect little momento to remember this incredible day.

I would like to highlight that the day package is not always a one on one experience (I was just completely blessed that it happened that way for me): it depends who books it that day; but I would HIGHLY recommend any package at this sanctuary, but especially the full day! It was soo worth every penny. 🙏🏻

After spending the whole day here and speaking with the staff and my guide, I believe that these elephants are treated with such good care and love. They are all rescued from performing/riding/logging and given space to roam and PLENTY of food and love. There is NO riding at this sanctuary and each elephant has their own carer. The money from the tickets you buy is used to rescue more elephants.

I want to thank ALL the staff at Phuket Elephant Care for giving me the best day EVER, and one that I will never forget! You made me feel so special. ❤️

Don’t think about it....

NOT A SANCTUARY THE ELEPHANTS ARE BEING ABUSED! The positive reviews here are incredibly misleading — this place is not ethical or humane. What I witnessed was deeply disturbing. The staff are abusive toward the elephants, and it’s heartbreaking to watch. Please know: this is not a sanctuary.

The “rescued” mother and baby elephant are confined to an area barely 30 square feet. The mother constantly shakes her head side to side — a clear sign of distress — and only stops when being fed by visitors. I saw staff hit the baby elephant with a towel when it didn’t cooperate, and the baby repeatedly tried to escape its small enclosure. Staff were pulling on the elephants’ ears so hard they bled; I saw visible blood. The elephants are yelled at and threatened so they’ll “pose” for photos. You can tell from the pictures that these animals have been forcefully trained to perform.

When questioned, staff brush it off, saying the enclosures are for “our safety.” But it’s obvious this is about control — and profit. The elephants are not protected under Thai law, and so-called “rescues” here are purchased animals. Staff even admitted some cost up to 3 million baht. This is a business built on exploitation, not rehabilitation.

The facility is open seven days a week, and the elephants are forced to interact with crowds nonstop — being touched, washed, and photographed all day long. That’s not rest or enrichment; that’s labor. Even with no riding or bullhooks, the pain-based control is clear. I also heard loud construction noises throughout the visit, adding even more stress to their environment.

Please, don’t be fooled by the positive reviews or the word “sanctuary.” These elephants are suffering every single day for tourist photos. Choose truly ethical sanctuaries that prioritize the elephants’ freedom and well-being — this...

This place truly saves the elephants from getting mistreated or abused.

Don't support places that allow you to ride an elephant (notice a steel hook hanging over the elephant's ear where there is a wound).

Don't support shows that use elephants for various stunts (those humans torture the elephants since they were babies to force them into performing stunts).

Don't support the use of elephants to haul tree logs or heavy objects (they spear the elephants' legs if the elephants stop hauling halfway even just to take a break).

This place offers a short class on making nutritional foods for the elephants here, allows visitors to make those foods, then teaches visitors the right ways of feeding the elephants to prevent injury.

After feeding the elephants, visitors also get to spread mud all over the elephants. Elephants like the cooling properties of mud and the scrubbing effect on their 2-3cm thick skin. Elephants then proceed to a shallow pond so visitors can splash in the water with them, which the elephants enjoy.

Elephants are then led by their mahouts and visitors to a shower facility to shower & scrub the mud off. The elephants show their happiness by flapping their ears & wagging their tail continuously as the visitors scrub the elephants' skin.

After visitors take a shower, a cooking class ensues. A guide would teach Pad Thai cooking and papaya salad making while visitors prepare these meals. A buffet feast follows where other prepared foods are served as well.

Visitors get to paint a clay elephant-shape souvenir and take it home. Throughout the three-hour program, guides would take photos and then share with visitors by WhatsApp without any additional fee.

Overall, a pleasant experience for both elephants and visitors. The guides and caretakers have done a wonderful job with...