Refreshing Retreat: Kaew Ta and Kham Phean’s Sanctuary Life in Koh Samui

Order Cannabis Online

In the verdant heart of Koh Samui’s Bo Phut district, a pair of senior residents has found an ingenious method to escape the scorching May temperatures. Meet Kaew Ta and Kham Phean, two charming elephants in their mid-60s, who have discovered the delightful pleasure of taking a dip in a pool and gleefully rolling in mud at the Samui Elephant Sanctuary. These gentle giants, now basking in their well-deserved retirement, spent decades toiling away under the unforgiving demands of logging and tourism.

Set against the backdrop of lush forests, colorful bougainvillaea, and the harmonious symphony of birds and butterflies, the sanctuary is a tranquil haven for seven rescued female Asian elephants. Sanctuary guide, Sam Surachai Pinsepin, explains, “Kaew Ta and Kham Phean adore spraying mud on their backs. It provides a natural shield against the sun and pesky insects.” Their diet here is a sumptuous buffet of watermelons, rice, and pumpkins wrapped in banana leaves—a luxurious culinary upgrade from their past hardships.

Before their arrival at this sanctuary in 2018, life for these elephants was anything but serene. Kham Phean spent a gruelling 30 years giving rides to tourists in Pattaya, spending her downtime shackled to trees. Kaew Ta’s story is equally harrowing; she was blinded in one eye after a violent encounter with her mahout and also endured years of carrying tourists under harsh conditions. These injuries narrate a somber tale of exploitation within Thailand’s tourism industry, where elephants are often viewed as mere commodities. Alarmingly, as per the International Union for Conservation of Nature, Asian elephants are endangered, and in Thailand alone, around 15% of the wild population resides. Regrettably, about 4,000 elephants are still in captivity, many subjected to emotionally and physically taxing roles in tourism.

The Samui Elephant Sanctuary follows the exemplary model laid out by Saengduean “Lek” Chailert, the intrepid founder of the Save Elephant Foundation. Her vision has been transformative, advocating effectively for the ethical treatment of elephants within tourism. Gone are the days of the traditional, exploitative riding practices; today’s best practices underscore a compassionate “saddle-off” ethos that respects these sentient beings, a fact reported by the Bangkok Post.

The sanctuary maintains a strict policy against tourists bathing with elephants, acknowledging the disruption it causes to the animals’ natural behaviours and their overall stress levels. Instead, these social creatures are encouraged to roam free, to bathe and interact naturally—a crucial element of their well-being. “Elephants are incredibly intelligent and social animals,” adds Sam. “They need the freedom to splash, to roll in the mud, and to mingle with each other without human interference.”

Ultimately, the Samui Elephant Sanctuary offers more than just a refuge—it provides an opportunity for elephants to recover from past traumas and live with dignity. It is a powerful testament to the evolving landscape of wildlife tourism, one that holds animal welfare in high regard and strives to secure a brighter future for generations of elephants to come.