Discover Elephant Forest Phitsanulok, a new elephant-friendly sanctuary in Thailand where elephants live free from cruelty.
Elephants deserve a life of dignity, free from chains, rides, and tourist exploitation—and now, thanks to years of determined effort—a new chapter has begun for elephants in Phitsanulok, Thailand.
The Elephant Forest Phitsanulok (EFP), located just over half a mile north of Bangkok, has officially opened as an elephant-friendly venue, marking a powerful step for elephants and travelers alike. What was once a traditional elephant camp with riding, feeding, and bathing has been fully transformed into a venue where elephants can simply be elephants—living peacefully, roaming freely, and free from the exploitation of tourist rides and performances.
From Exploitation to Sanctuary
This transformation didn’t happen overnight. After four years of effort led by World Animal Protection Thailand, and thanks to generous donations from our supporters, Sappraiwan Elephant Sanctuary has been reborn as Elephant Forest Phitsanulok.
This milestone is part of a broader program developed by World Animal Protection to help elephant camps across Thailand transition away from cruelty and towards genuine sanctuaries where animal well-being comes first. Elephants who were once forced to perform now enjoy sanctuary living, showing visitors what it means to see these magnificent animals thrive in their natural behaviors.
It also builds on the transformations we’ve celebrated at other venues:
- ChangChill replaced cruelty with dignity, offering elephants a life where they can forage, roam, and socialize without being used for entertainment.
- Following Giants tells the moving story of elephants rescued into a new life of care and freedom.
Now, with Elephant Forest Phitsanulok, that movement continues to grow.
Image: World Animal Protection Thailand
A Celebration with Global Impact
The grand opening of EFP was nothing short of historic. The event drew high-profile guests, including the Governor of Phitsanulok, representatives from the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Department of Livestock Development, and even Intrepid Travel—a major player in sustainable tourism.
Media attention was equally powerful. Journalists conducted on-site interviews, generating nearly 100 media hits across mainstream and traditional outlets in both print and online publications. This level of attention not only highlights the importance of elephant-friendly tourism but also sets the stage for more travelers and communities to choose compassion over cruelty.
Why This Matters
Thailand is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, and unfortunately, elephant rides and performances have long been marketed as “must-see experiences.” But behind the scenes, elephants suffer—forced into submission through cruel training practices, deprived of freedom, and stripped of their natural behaviors.
Venues like Elephant Forest Phitsanulok show that tourism can evolve. By supporting elephant-friendly venues, travelers prove that it’s possible to replace cruelty with compassion, without losing cultural richness or economic opportunity.
A Future of Compassion
The launch of Elephant Forest Phitsanulok is more than a milestone—it’s a movement. With every venue that transitions from exploitation to sanctuary, we’re proving that a kinder, more sustainable tourism industry is not only possible, but profitable.
This progress is only possible because of the dedicated work of World Animal Protection Thailand and the support of donors around the world.
Help us transform more camps into sanctuaries. Donate to World Animal Protection today and help change the future for elephants in Thailand.