In the lush embrace of Thailand, the majestic elephants have long been the stars, drawing tourists from around the globe to witness their gentle grandeur. Yet, it’s crucial for travelers to tread this path with an ethical compass. Picture Baifan and Maethongkam, freely roaming giants at Blue Daily, untouched by hands, admired from a respectful distance; a sanctuary indeed for these colossal creatures, where they thrive without the burden of entertaining.
Elephant experiences captivate the hearts of visitors, but it’s a delicate dance between human curiosity and animal welfare. World Animal Protection Thailand pleads for restraint, urging camps to forsake the allure of direct interaction—bathing and feeding most of all—for the sake of true ethical tourism. Travelers face the conundrum of finding sanctuaries that honor this pledge, with many opting out entirely, fearing the lure of false advertising in so-called “ethical” camps.
Chiang Mai, the epicenter of this spectacle, boasts around 90 camps and hosts 871 elephants, according to the Livestock Department. Despite sanctuaries touting “ethical” labels, the choice to offer close encounters remains. LuLu Foures, a discerning French traveller, found it challenging. “Claims of ethics abound, yet scratch beneath the surface and you’ll find offers of mud baths or hand-feeding,” she reflected, navigating Chiang Mai’s elephantine odyssey.
The tragic passing of a young tourist at Koh Yao Elephant Care Centre in December 2024 underscores the precarious line visitors tread, reaffirming the stance of those like New Zealander Maggie Gibson. “We chose ‘no-touch’ sanctuaries; touching elephants felt innately wrong,” she asserts, the incident validating her caution.
In Thailand, some 5,359 elephants are domesticated, housed across 245 camps that hinge on tourist patronage, a detailed statistic courtesy of Trunks Up, a venerable champion of Asian elephants. Yet, beneath glossy veneer and eco-brochures, a grim reality remains—commercial elephant tourism subjected to abuse and coercion.
Catherine Baldwin from the UK, cautious and critical, hesitates in the face of well-marketed sanctuaries. “No amount of research guarantees full transparency. It’s unsettling, dampening the joy,” she muses, wary of the unknown.
Enter Blue Daily Elephant Care Sanctuary, a beacon of true ethical practice amid Chiang Mai’s offerings. Here, elephants, retired from grueling logging work, savor 50 acres of freedom. “Our priority is their happiness, not human touch,” states Billy, a decade-long guide at Blue Daily, whose elephants are tended by skilled mahouts—guardians from the Karen tribe.
Beyond Blue Daily’s gates, a burgeoning philosophy takes root. Elephants, undisturbed, decide if and when to approach. It’s a paradigm shift that LuLu Foures found compelling during her journey—these elephants embrace life on their terms, not ours.
The pandemic, a formidable adversary, slashed into the once-thriving elephant economy, penned at US $770 million annually by WAP before Covid-19’s scourge. Yet philanthropy buoyed Blue Daily through turbulent times, a rare survivor amidst industry tremors.
Elsewhere, Elephant Nature Park, Saengduean Chailert’s brainchild, stood resilient. Volunteers, some quiet and nameless, labor selflessly, ensuring elephants’ splendor endures. “Skepticism dissipates when witnessing these devoted acts,” a volunteer notes, inspired by the park’s new skywalk initiative, crafting a future of even more distant wonder.
Elephant tourism remains a double-edged sword in Thailand, a lifeline for communities intertwined with nature’s giants. Yet the specter of “ethical” greenwashing looms, possibly shadowing genuine sanctuaries. The narrative continues, as thoughtful travelers seek truth in their pursuit of the extraordinary.
I appreciate efforts like Blue Daily, but can we really ever be sure of any sanctuary’s true practices?
True transparency is hard to find, but supporting known ethical places is a start.
I agree, but still feels like a gamble every time. More regulation could help.
Tourism is necessary for the economy, but at what cost? Are these elephants really free?
Without tourism, these towns might collapse economically. Ethical tourism is the compromise.
Still feels like blood money. Can’t we find better solutions for sustainability?
The key is balance. Genuine sanctuaries like Blue Daily create that.
Is this much different than a zoo? Just in their ‘natural’ habitat.
The pandemic proved how fragile these systems are. Diversifying local economies can make a difference!
True, but tourism will always be vital. How do you see these communities diversifying?
Eco-friendly agriculture, crafts, online education… Many possibilities! But it requires investment.
Touching an elephant doesn’t seem harmful. Am I missing something?
Blue Daily sounds promising. Wish more places followed their lead.
Tourist negligence also plays a role. We need to educate visitors more effectively.
You can’t easily change people’s curiosity. It’s part of why tourism thrives.
But more aware tourists make better choices. It’s a gradual shift in mindset.
If all sanctuaries were non-interactive, I’d visit much more. Why isn’t this the standard?
Probably because many tourists still demand more direct experiences with elephants.
With greenwashing rampant, is avoiding elephant tourism altogether the better choice?
Maybe, but that could lead to neglect of the elephants already in captivity.
That’s a valid point. Supporting true ethical sanctuaries might be the only solution.
Always wondered, how do these places regulate ‘no-touch’ policies effectively?
I visited Thailand last year, and must say, Blue Daily impressed me! Set a bar for ethical sanctuaries.
Some elephants are born in captivity. Releasing them isn’t simple. Sanctuaries provide them protection.
More countries should adopt strict animal tourism regulations like this. The animals deserve it.
If tourists stop going, do these places shut down, or innovate? Either could happen… uncertain future!