Hidden Gem Lover’s Guide to Chiang Mai

5 reasons why you should go to a no-touch no-bathe elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai

5 Tips For Visiting an Ethical Elephant Sanctuary in Chiang Mai

Tried and tested elephant experiences that are actually ethical!

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Ethical Elephant Experiences in Chiang Mai

Tried and tested elephant experiences that are actually ethical! 

It was an incredible experience. My friends and I are really happy to see elephants.

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See Happy Elephants in Paradise

It was an incredible experience. My friends and I are really happy to see elephants. 

It was a very nice experience to watch the elephants and see them move int heir habitat. I can highly recommend it!

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It was a very nice experience to watch the elephants and see them move int heir habitat. I can highly recommend it!

The camp itself is super clean and top priority is given for the safety of the elephants and the visitors. Our tour guide Niche was fabulous and helpful. The lunch was fresh, plentiful and delicious. The elephants are healthy and well cared for, and seem oblivious to our presence, which is the whole idea. Great tour!

The camp itself is super clean and top priority is given for the safety of the elephants and the visitors. Our tour guide Niche was fabulous and helpful. The lunch was fresh, plentiful and delicious. The elephants are healthy and well cared for, and seem oblivious to our presence, which is the whole idea. Great tour!

I love everything from the accommodation, lovely staffs, very welcoming and friendly. 
 the programmes were full of insightful information and also great activities to explore how elephants are being taken care of, we helped on diet preps for elephants and also taking care of their habitats. 
 Lovely meals and clean food. Love it.

4D3N Volunteer with Rescued Elephants

I love everything from the accommodation, lovely staffs, very welcoming and friendly. 
the programmes were full of insightful information and also great activities to explore how elephants are being taken care of, we helped on diet preps for elephants and also taking care of their habitats. 
Lovely meals and clean food. Love it. 

Since 2011, BEES has supported the local community by involving them in building accommodations and planting 10,000 trees, fostering both elephant conservation and environmental well-being.

Emily and her partner founded Thailand's rare no-touch, no-bathe elephant sanctuary, where elephants live freely. It's one of the few certified by World Animal Protection for ethical care.

When Emily first saw how elephants were treated in Thailand, she vowed that she would help them. Together with her partner Burm, she's pioneering a new form of wildlife tourism in Thailand. 

Founded in 2011 by Burm Pornchai Rinkaew and Emily Rose McWilliam, BEES is an acclaimed elephant sanctuary listed on the World Animal Protection Organization's Elephant Friendly Guide. Pioneering a hands-off policy, they prioritize elephant well-being and established the BEES Elephant Foundation in 2015.

Emily's commitment began in 2009 after witnessing the mistreatment of elephants in Thai tourist camps. In 2010, discussions turned into action, with Emily and her partner Burm relocating to Mae Chaem to start BEES. Burm, with a background in tourism, contributes his expertise to the project, aiming to uplift the community by teaching English.

Since 2011, BEES has been a community-driven initiative, with Burm and Emily purchasing land and involving the local village in constructing accommodations. In addition to caring for elephants, BEES focuses on environmental conservation, having planted around 10,000 trees since 2012 with the help of visitors and local kids. Together, Burm and Emily's dedication creates a sanctuary that not only protects elephants but also fosters community and environmental well-being.

Burm & Emily's Elephant Sanctuary

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Founded in 2011 by Burm Pornchai Rinkaew and Emily Rose McWilliam, BEES is an acclaimed elephant sanctuary listed on the World Animal Protection Organization's Elephant Friendly Guide. Pioneering a hands-off policy, they prioritize elephant well-being and established the BEES Elephant Foundation in 2015.

Emily's commitment began in 2009 after witnessing the mistreatment of elephants in Thai tourist camps. In 2010, discussions turned into action, with Emily and her partner Burm relocating to Mae Chaem to start BEES. Burm, with a background in tourism, contributes his expertise to the project, aiming to uplift the community by teaching English.

Since 2011, BEES has been a community-driven initiative, with Burm and Emily purchasing land and involving the local village in constructing accommodations. In addition to caring for elephants, BEES focuses on environmental conservation, having planted around 10,000 trees since 2012 with the help of visitors and local kids. Together, Burm and Emily's dedication creates a sanctuary that not only protects elephants but also fosters community and environmental well-being.

The head of Chang Chill, Mr. Supakorn Tananseth, comes from a family that has worked with and taken care of elephants for several generations. Originally running a camp that offered elephant rides in the Mae Wang area, Mr. Supakorn discontinued riding activities and established Chang Chill to give his elephants better living conditions. Upon discussing elephant welfare and a new, ethical tourism model with World Animal Protection and several travel companies, Mr. Supakorn decided to collaborate with these organizations to adjust the venue’s infrastructure and practices.

Chang Chill’s work to offer the best living conditions possible to these elephants is a process, and we will keep evolving in the coming months and years. Throughout this time, we hope Chang Chill can serve as a model for the other camps in Thailand, to illustrate that a high welfare venue is beneficial for elephants, mahouts, tourists and camp owners.

Chang Chill Elephant Camp

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The head of Chang Chill, Mr. Supakorn Tananseth, comes from a family that has worked with and taken care of elephants for several generations. Originally running a camp that offered elephant rides in the Mae Wang area, Mr. Supakorn discontinued riding activities and established Chang Chill to give his elephants better living conditions. Upon discussing elephant welfare and a new, ethical tourism model with World Animal Protection and several travel companies, Mr. Supakorn decided to collaborate with these organizations to adjust the venue’s infrastructure and practices.

Chang Chill’s work to offer the best living conditions possible to these elephants is a process, and we will keep evolving in the coming months and years. Throughout this time, we hope Chang Chill can serve as a model for the other camps in Thailand, to illustrate that a high welfare venue is beneficial for elephants, mahouts, tourists and camp owners.

Ethical Elephant Experiences in Chiang Mai

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