Boon Lott's Elephant Sanctuary (BLES)

About

A Sukhothai Province sanctuary where rescued elephants decide how to spend their days, and guests watch without touching, feeding or bathing them.

How to visit

Stays last two to four nights, Monday to Friday, and must be reserved in advance; there are no drop-in visits and no more than 10 guests at once. Adults pay 8,000 THB a night, under-12s 3,000 THB, and under-3s stay free. Dates are held with a non-refundable 50% deposit, and the rest is paid in cash in Thai baht on arrival. Meals, transport and a guesthouse room about 10 minutes from the sanctuary are included.

Getting there

From Bangkok, travel by bus or train to Sukhothai or Uttaradit, or fly into Sukhothai Airport. A driver arranged by BLES will collect you, as guests aren't allowed to drive themselves.

Booking

Book only through the sanctuary’s official website. Never pay through social media messages or resellers. Book on their website ↗

• Master Monet

  Monet was born at a camp and made to entertain tourists, and later to beg in the city. On 26 September 2026 he reached BLES after an 18-hour drive through flooded roads. After everything, he now gets to spend his days however he chooses.

  Resident since 2026

• Lady Lucky

  For most of her life Lucky gave rides at a camp in southern Thailand. A breeding attack badly injured her, and she was then put to work logging. Supporters raised the money for her rescue in around five hours, and she came to BLES on 18 April 2026. The kindness of strangers brought her to safety, and her working days are finally over.

  Resident since 2026

• Mama Rose

  Newer tourist camps had left Rose's owner unable to make a living, so he asked BLES to take her and her calf as a pair. Both arrived on 3 March 2026. Now mother and calf can grow old and grow up side by side, with nothing asked of them.

  Resident since 2026

• Baby Precious

  Rose's calf Precious came with her on 3 March 2026 and spends his days playing in the mud.

  Resident since 2026

• Meet them all on Boon Lott's Elephant Sanctuary (BLES)’s website ↗

• No buying or selling animals for profitMeets
• No breeding for tourism or tradeMeets
• No chaining or confinementMeets
• No ridingMeets
• No shows or performancesMeets
• No bathing with visitorsMeets

  Guests don't feed or bathe the elephants.

  Source ↗

• Observation-based visitsMeets

  Guests don't approach the elephants or go looking for them to be entertained.

  Source ↗

• Rescue, rehabilitation and release where possibleMeets
• Donations fund animal careMeets