Following Giants – Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta, Krabi, Thailand
About
A 45-acre mountainside sanctuary on Koh Lanta where elephants rescued from riding and logging no longer work, and visitors only watch.
Visiting
Open to visitors
- How to visit
- Options are a 2-hour programme (adults 1,800 THB, children 1,000 THB), a half day (2,750 / 1,750 THB) or a full day (3,850 / 2,850 THB). Book through the calendar on the website.
- Getting there
- Transfers from anywhere on Koh Lanta Yai are included (two people minimum from Old Town). If you book an 8am programme with less than 12 hours' notice, you'll need to make your own way there.
- Booking
- Book only through the sanctuary’s official website. Never pay through social media messages or resellers. Book on their website ↗
Residents
Meet the elephants
Mae Songkran
Mae Songkran carried riders at a temple until she was rescued on 13 April 2023, the Thai New Year. A fitting day for a fresh start.
Resident since 2023
Kamsung (Tua Lek)
Kamsung stopped working in logging and riding in August 2023. Her working days are over, and her new life is quiet and free.
Resident since 2023
Mae Thongsuk (Happy)
Mae Thongsuk stopped working in tourism and logging in November 2020. Since then, she has made the mountainside her home.
Resident since 2020
Khai Dam (Black Egg)
Until his rescue in October 2022, Khai Dam worked in logging and performed in shows. No more shows: he can now simply be himself.
Resident since 2022
Our research
How it measures up
- No buying or selling animals for profitMeets
- No breeding for tourism or tradeMeets
- No chaining or confinementMeets
- No ridingMeets
The sanctuary says it doesn't support riding, bathing or feeding elephants, or making them perform.
- No shows or performancesMeets
The sanctuary doesn't support elephant performances.
- No bathing with visitorsMeets
Visitors can't bathe the elephants.
- Observation-based visitsMeets
Visits are built around watching the elephants.
- Rescue, rehabilitation and release where possibleMeets
- Donations fund animal careMeets
Donations support the elephants and new rescues, and profits from visits pay for rescues.
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