How to Ethically See Elephants in Thailand (Updated 2025)

"Led by Lek Chailert, Elephant Nature Park (ENP) has operated since 1996 as Thailand’s biggest elephant rescue and conservation organization and serves as a retirement home for dozens of elephants and a menagerie of other animals saved from the tourism and logging industries; located outside of Chiang Mai, demand for visits and volunteer placements is so high that you often must reserve months in advance. I visited after booking ahead and saw firsthand the good they do and the heartbreaking stories of elephants with broken backs, legs, and missing feet; ENP has also worked with riding camps to help them give up riding and adopt more animal-friendly practices. Note that you can no longer feed or bathe the elephants there so their natural schedules aren’t disrupted, but you can still watch them eat, bathe, and get up close. Practical details: short visits last about 6–7 hours and cost 2,500 THB (includes a vegan lunch buffet and transportation to/from Chiang Mai), the popular overnight visit (2 days, 1 night) costs 5,800 THB (meals, transport, accommodation included), and a 7-day volunteer experience is around 15,000 THB." - Matthew Kepnes