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

Discover the best Do Good Experiences in Thailand

Chang Chill Elephant Sanctuary2.jpg

BEES elephant sanctuary10.jpg

BEES elephant sanctuary11.jpg

Chang Chill Elephant Sanctuary14.jpg

BEES elephant sanctuary9.jpg

BEES elephant sanctuary12.jpg

Chang Chill Elephant Sanctuary7.jpg

BEES elephant sanctuary1.jpg

Chang Chill Elephant Sanctuary13.jpg

BEES elephant sanctuary6.jpg

BEES elephant sanctuary13.jpg

Chang Chill Elephant Sanctuary10.jpg

BEES elephant sanctuary17.jpg

Chang Chill Elephant Sanctuary1.jpg

BEES elephant sanctuary16.jpg

Do Good Experiences in Thailand

Discover the best Do Good Experiences in Thailand

The keepers and guides were clearly invested in elephant well-being and care and respect. Had a great time hiking over hills to get to view elephants, and coming within 15 feet of these magnificent creatures, while at the same time respecting their space.

See Happy Elephants in Paradise

The keepers and guides were clearly invested in elephant well-being and care and respect. Had a great time hiking over hills to get to view elephants, and coming within 15 feet of these magnificent creatures, while at the same time respecting their space. 

2D1N Ethical Elephant Sanctuary Experience

Communication was efficient and pickup punctual, the experience was invaluable

748c3de3-a73f-4385-9a7f-c628387fee18.jpeg

Communication was efficient and pickup punctual, the experience was invaluable 

IMG_20241220_142520.jpg

Very respectful and we still can see elephants quite upclose! 100% recommend

Very respectful and we still can see elephants quite upclose! 100% recommend

We had a perfect day with the elephants! Everyone was lovely, we learned a lot about the elephants and had the feeling they can finally have a good life at the camp. 
 Thanks for that experience

1000044254.jpg

1000044316.jpg

1000044289.jpg

1000044346.jpg

We had a perfect day with the elephants! Everyone was lovely, we learned a lot about the elephants and had the feeling they can finally have a good life at the camp. 
Thanks for that experience 

We were picked up in downtown of Chiang Mai on time to head north east. We ended up in a mountainous village where we could first easily find two gibbons in the trees (because they were currently fed by a caretaker). Soonafter we began our hike around the village. A local guide and our tour guide showed us a lot of plants and explained there use in medicine or kitchen (or both). We passed by a beautiful water fall and two (small) snakes. 
 All the staff was very friendly and knowledgeable and I would highly recommend this tour if you are interested in local plants and their use and / or would like to see some gibbons living in the wild. 
 Be aware though that it is not really a hike and more a botanical walk. According to our guide the distance is only 2.5 km.

Gibbon Spotting Jungle Hike in Mae Kampong

We were picked up in downtown of Chiang Mai on time to head north east. We ended up in a mountainous village where we could first easily find two gibbons in the trees (because they were currently fed by a caretaker). Soonafter we began our hike around the village. A local guide and our tour guide showed us a lot of plants and explained there use in medicine or kitchen (or both). We passed by a beautiful water fall and two (small) snakes. 
All the staff was very friendly and knowledgeable and I would highly recommend this tour if you are interested in local plants and their use and / or would like to see some gibbons living in the wild. 
Be aware though that it is not really a hike and more a botanical walk. According to our guide the distance is only 2.5 km.

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

IMG_20241115_131412.jpg

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

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

DSC07413-768x480.jpg

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.

Mr. Supakorn has created jobs for local workers, including mahouts, and educates visitors on ethical wildlife tourism. This model empowers the community while prioritising the welfare of both animals 

Chang Chill is one of the few elephant reserves in Thailand meeting international standards of no-touch, no-feed, no-bathe, ensuring elephants live freely and naturally with minimal human interference

For years, elephants in Thailand were mistreated for tourism, forced to give rides and perform tricks. Mr. Supakorn, whose family has worked with elephants for generations, saw this and knew it had to change.

He shut down the riding activities and transformed his camp into Chang Chill, one of Thailand’s first ethical no-touch, no-bathe sanctuaries. Here, rescued elephants live freely, roaming and foraging as they would in the wild.

Creating Chang Chill wasn’t easy. Mr. Supakorn worked with World Animal Protection and others to build a space focused on elephant welfare. Today, six rescued elephants thrive, and visitors observe them from a respectful distance.

Chang Chill is more than a sanctuary—it’s a model for ethical tourism. By transforming his camp, Mr. Supakorn shows other elephant camps that prioritising animal welfare and offering a genuine experience is the future of tourism.

Chang Chill Elephant Camp

mahout3.jpg

For years, elephants in Thailand were mistreated for tourism, forced to give rides and perform tricks. Mr. Supakorn, whose family has worked with elephants for generations, saw this and knew it had to change.

He shut down the riding activities and transformed his camp into Chang Chill, one of Thailand’s first ethical no-touch, no-bathe sanctuaries. Here, rescued elephants live freely, roaming and foraging as they would in the wild.

Creating Chang Chill wasn’t easy. Mr. Supakorn worked with World Animal Protection and others to build a space focused on elephant welfare. Today, six rescued elephants thrive, and visitors observe them from a respectful distance.

Chang Chill is more than a sanctuary—it’s a model for ethical tourism. By transforming his camp, Mr. Supakorn shows other elephant camps that prioritising animal welfare and offering a genuine experience is the future of tourism.

"Hi, I'm Golf, Suwanus Yibpikul. I'm passionate about nature and helping communities. With Thai Eco Solutions and Eco Tours, I've created unique tours that immerse you in our local beauty. Each booking supports locals, the environment, and gives back to the community we

Eco Tours Chiang Mai

1.jpg

"Hi, I'm Golf, Suwanus Yibpikul. I'm passionate about nature and helping communities. With Thai Eco Solutions and Eco Tours, I've created unique tours that immerse you in our local beauty. Each booking supports locals, the environment, and gives back to the community we

Do Good Experiences in Thailand

Browse Collection

You May Also Like

Field Notes

Have a question?