How to Choose an Ethical Elephant Sanctuary in Thailand (and What to Avoid)

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• Table of Contents

  1. Why Do Elephants Need Sanctuaries?

  2. Not All Elephant Sanctuaries Are Ethical

  3. What Makes a Sanctuary Truly Ethical?

  4. The Hidden Dangers of Elephant Tourism

  5. Is Elephant Bathing Ethical?

  6. Different Perspectives on Ethics

  7. How to Choose the Right Elephant Sanctuary

  8. Final Thoughts

The topic of ethical elephant tourism is a hot debate. While many travellers dream of interacting with these gentle giants, not all sanctuaries prioritise their well-being. But what does “ethical” really mean, and how do you choose the right one?

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Why Do Elephants Need Sanctuaries?

Ideally, elephants should live in the wild. But due to deforestation, poaching, and decades of exploitation in industries like logging and tourism, many elephants can’t be safely released. Some have been rescued from circuses, temples, or tourist shows, while others have injuries or behavioural issues that make surviving in the wild impossible.

Ethical sanctuaries step in to care for these elephants, providing food, medical care, and a safe environment. But here’s the issue: elephants are expensive to care for, and some places put profit over welfare.

Not All Elephant Sanctuaries Are Ethical

Just because a place calls itself a sanctuary doesn’t mean it treats its elephants with respect. Many still force elephants to perform unnatural behaviours to entertain tourists. These places often use misleading marketing, so it’s important to look beyond the name and check how the elephants are actually treated.

🚨 Red Flags to Watch Out For

❌ Elephant Rides – If a sanctuary allows elephant riding, avoid it completely. Elephants used for riding go through a cruel training process called phajaan, or "the crush," which involves breaking their spirit through beatings and isolation.

❌ Tricks and Performances – Elephants painting, playing football, or doing tricks? That’s not natural behaviour, it’s a sign of past abuse and ongoing mistreatment.

❌ Breeding Without a Purpose – If a sanctuary is breeding elephants but not releasing them into the wild, those babies will spend their lives in captivity, often used for tourist interactions.

What Makes a Sanctuary Truly Ethical?

If you want to visit a sanctuary that genuinely helps elephants, look for these signs:

✔️ No Forced Human Interaction

✔️ Large, Natural Space

✔️ Rescue and Rehabilitation Focus

✔️ Limited or No Contact

✔️ Clear Transparency

The Hidden Dangers of Elephant Tourism

Even in places marketed as ethical, interactions with elephants can be risky, for both animals and humans. A tragic example occurred in Koh Yao Ya when a Spanish tourist, Blanca Ojanguren García, was fatally injured while bathing an elephant at a so-called sanctuary. Experts suggest the elephant may have been stressed by repeated interactions with tourists. This highlights why true sanctuaries limit human contact and let elephants behave naturally.

Is Elephant Bathing Ethical?

Elephant bathing is a controversial topic in ethical tourism. Some sanctuaries still offer it as an experience for visitors, but the key difference is whether the elephants are forced into the water or enter voluntarily.

At Living Green Elephant Sanctuary, we saw firsthand that some elephants naturally walked into the river to cool off, and visitors could join them.

That said, we wouldn’t personally recommend it and would probably not do it again. Not for ethical reasons as the experience was unforgettable, but for hygiene. Once in the water, the elephants start peeing and pooping, which isn’t exactly the cleanest environment to be in. A friend we made on the tour told us that his cousin got an eye parasite after bathing elephants at a different sanctuary. If you have young kids or open cuts, it’s probably best to avoid this activity!

Different Perspectives on Ethics

Not everyone agrees on what makes a sanctuary ethical. Some believe minimal human interaction is key, while others see offering refuge to former working elephants as progress. The important thing is to do your research and choose what aligns with your values. What do you think makes a sanctuary ethical? Drop your thoughts in the comments.

How to Choose the Right Elephant Sanctuary

🔍 Do Your Research – Check reviews, social media, and travel websites. If a place allows riding, performances, or forced interactions, it’s NOT ethical.

📝 Check Responsible Travel for Guidance – We used Responsible Travel’s list before booking our own experience. It helped us find a genuinely ethical sanctuary.

📢 Ask Questions – If a sanctuary doesn’t openly share where its elephants come from or how they’re treated, that’s a red flag.

It’s not always easy to make these informed choices but if you do decide to visit an elephant sanctuary in Thailand, you’ll likely be heading outside the main cities. Whether you're booking transport, using Google Maps, or researching ethical sanctuaries on the go, having reliable data makes a huge difference. We use iRoamly Travel eSIMs as in our opinion they provide the most flexible and affordable plans. It’s super convenient and easy to use, so make sure to check their plans before you head to Thailand.

Final Thoughts

Choosing an elephant sanctuary in Thailand isn’t as simple as it seems. Many places use "ethical" as a buzzword, but true sanctuaries focus on rehabilitation, not entertainment.

We’ll be sharing our full experience at Living Green Elephant Sanctuary in an upcoming blog post, so subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated!

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Would you visit an elephant sanctuary in Thailand? Let us know in the comments! If you enjoyed this blog make sure to drop a like and share. 🐘✨

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A Must-Stay Luxury Yet Affordable Hotel in Khao Sok, Thailand

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Looking for a place in Khao Sok that combines affordable luxury, stunning nature, and homely charm? Let us introduce you to Khao Sok Legend Phase 2 (also known as Khao Sok Legend Pool Villa). This hidden gem gave us one of our favourite stays in Thailand, and it could be your perfect stay in Thailand, too!

Paradise With a Private Pool

Imagine waking up to the sounds of the jungle, stepping out of your private bungalow, and dipping straight into your very own saltwater pool. That’s exactly what this place offers! Even with all its luxury, it felt warm and homey.

But here’s the best part: we only paid £34 per night (1,474.2 Thai Baht), including an incredible breakfast that changed daily. Absolute bargain, right? Check out our short room tour below.

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A post shared by Carol & Max | Travel Couple (@carmaadventures)

A Jungle Adventure Awaits

This place isn’t just a hotel, it’s a 40-acre playground. They’ve got golf carts to explore the grounds, and there’s even a private hiking trail up one of Khao Sok’s highest mountains. It’s untouched jungle, so expect some serious thrills.

Cho, the owner, gave us self-defense tools (seriously) and warned us about potential wildlife sightings like king cobras, gibbons, leopards, wild boars, you name it! We didn’t see much beyond cheeky monkeys and beautiful Golden Orb spiders, but hiking through such raw nature felt unreal. This is a completely free activity you can do while you are there, but they do offer a range of organised activities that you can book, we definitely recommend the overnight lake trip. 

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Hospitality That Feels Like Home

When we arrived at the Khao Sok bus station, Nong, one of the hotel staff picked us up in the back of a pickup truck, free of charge! It felt like such an adventure right from the start. Nong didn’t stop there, she was always ready to drop us into the centre of Khao Sok whenever we needed. While the hotel is a short 10-minute drive from the centre, we saw this as a bonus. Staying slightly out of town meant we were surrounded by peaceful nature and wildlife rather than noisy crowds and hostels. It was the perfect escape.

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What really sets this hotel apart is the hospitality. Cho and his wife went above and beyond to make our stay memorable. From sharing personal stories about their journey to opening this hotel to offering practical advice for our jungle hike (like providing self-defense tools), their warmth made us feel like part of their family.

We’ve travelled to so many places, but we’ve never met someone as kind as Cho. Every single day of our stay, Cho would give us a gift, small tokens with deep meanings rooted in Buddhist traditions of protection. These heartfelt gestures were incredibly touching, and they’ve become some of our most cherished travel mementos. In fact, we still carry them with us every day on our travels.

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The hospitality here really is unmatched. From food to transport and everything in between, it’s these little details that made our stay so unforgettable.

Oh, and did we mention the 21 cats? Yeah, during our September 2024 stay, the hotel had an adorable family of cats that loved wandering around while we ate or hung out at the reception area playing board games. If you’re a cat person, this is paradise! Let us know in the comments if you’ve stayed here more recently and how many cats there are now, please 🙏😂

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Incredible Authentic Food

Let’s talk about the food because, wow, the breakfasts at Khao Sok Legend Pool Villa were nothing short of incredible. The staff and the cook deserve a massive shoutout for their passion and dedication. Every morning, we were treated to fresh, homemade dishes that felt more like a celebration of authentic Thai flavours than just a meal.

What made it even more special was the variety, no two mornings were the same. From traditional Thai favourites to fruit platters, each dish was cooked fresh on the spot, and you could taste the love that went into it.

Why You Can’t Miss Staying Here

Whether you’re seeking luxury on a budget, a unique location, or a chance to connect with nature, Khao Sok Legend Pool Villa is everything you could want from a Khao Sok stay. Whether you’re chilling in your private pool, trekking through the jungle, or playing with cats at breakfast, this place will leave you with the best memories. With its stunning surroundings, attentive hosts, and unbeatable price, this hotel is a true hidden gem in Thailand’s Khao Sok region.

Big thank you to the Cho, Nong and all the staff at this incredible place, we would love to come back here one day!

Would you stay here? If you enjoyed this blog, please don’t forget to like, share and leave a comment!

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Do You Need Vaccinations To Travel To Thailand? A Guide For UK Travellers

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• Table of Contents

  1. Do I need Specific Vaccines To Enter Thailand?

  2. Which Vaccines Should You Consider?

  3. Do You Need Anti-Malarials For Thailand?

  4. What Do You Need To Bring To A Travel Advice Appointment?

  5. Why We Chose Boots Travel Vaccination Service

  6. Free NHS Vaccines Aren’t Guaranteed

  7. Should You Get Vaccinated?

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Planning a trip to Thailand? Vaccinations might not be mandatory (with one exception), but they’re definitely worth considering. A bit of preparation can go a long way in protecting your health and giving you peace of mind while travelling. Here’s what you need to know about vaccines and where to get them if you’re heading there from the UK.

Do I need Specific Vaccines To Enter Thailand?

The good news is that most UK travellers don’t need specific vaccines to cross Thailand’s border. However, there’s one key exception: yellow fever.

If you’re arriving from a country with a known risk of yellow fever transmission, or if your journey included a layover of more than 12 hours in such a country, you’ll need to present a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate upon arrival. This requirement applies to travellers aged 9 months or older.

For most travellers flying directly from the UK or other non-risk areas, this won’t be an issue. But if your travel itinerary includes stops in parts of Africa or South America, it’s something to double-check before you go.

Which Vaccines Should You Consider?

For most travellers, certain vaccines may be suggested depending on the type of trip you're taking:

1. Childhood Vaccines

Make sure your basic childhood vaccinations (like MMR and DTP) are up-to-date. These are usually free through your GP.

2. Recommended Vaccines for Most Trips

• Hepatitis A: A common suggestion for travellers visiting areas with varying food and water safety standards. Often free via the NHS.

• Typhoid: Another commonly recommended vaccine, especially for longer stays or rural visits.

• Hepatitis B: Could be worth considering for trips involving higher-risk activities, as Hepatitis B is spread through blood and body fluids.

3. Optional Vaccines for Specific Situations

• Rabies: If you’re planning on animal encounters, it’s worth discussing with your healthcare provider.

• Japanese Encephalitis: If you’re visiting rural areas or travelling during monsoon season, this may be suggested. We opted for this vaccine ourselves, but it was expensive, around £218 for two doses (from Boots).

Ultimately, your decision should be based on your itinerary, duration, and personal preferences. Consulting with a healthcare professional will help you make the right choice.

Do You Need Anti-Malarials For Thailand?

Thailand has a low malaria risk in most tourist hotspots like Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and the southern islands. But if you’re planning to go for rural areas along the borders, you might want to take precautions.

We didn’t take anti-malarials for Thailand, as our route didn’t include high-risk zones. What we did use a lot of was repellent (ones containing DEET are known to be the most effective). Mosquito bites can carry diseases like dengue fever, even in non-malarial areas. Pack a good insect repellent, wear long sleeves as it starts to get dark, and look for accommodations with mosquito nets in rural spots.

The Boots Malaria Prevention Service was super handy for sorting out our anti-malarials for another part of our trip, with the bonus of having them delivered straight to our door, very simple and affordable.

What Do You Need To Bring To A Travel Advice Appointment?

Before heading to your travel advice appointment, it’s essential to have all the necessary documents and information with you. Boots recommends bringing the following (this may vary for different providers, so it’s always good to confirm with them ahead of your appointment).

Why We Chose Boots Travel Vaccination Service

During our trip planning, we found the Boots Travel Vaccination Service incredibly useful. Here’s why:

• Convenience: It was easy to book online and find a location nearby.

• Tailored Advice: The pharmacist explained which vaccines aligned with our travel plans, helping us weigh up optional ones like Japanese Encephalitis and Rabies.

• Clear Pricing: Because our trip was coming up quickly, we budgeted for private vaccines rather than waiting for the GP to fit us in. If you’d like to check the cost of vaccines available through the Boots Travel Service, you can view their full price list by visiting their page and scrolling to the section titled "Travel vaccinations & price guide."

If you’re on a budget or unsure which vaccines are essential for your trip, the Boots team can guide you, or you can check for NHS availability for some vaccines to save costs. Just be aware that through the Boots service if you choose to not have any vaccines and/or antimalarials during the consultation, a £20 fee may apply.

Although we chose Boots, there are other places which offer travel vaccines in the UK, such as Superdrug and Lloyds Pharmacy.

Free NHS Vaccines Aren’t Guaranteed

In theory, vaccines like Hepatitis A and Typhoid are free through the NHS. However, when we tried, we were told they don’t prioritise travel vaccines. This means availability might be limited, especially if you're travelling soon.

Private services like Boots or Superdrug are often the easiest way to get vaccinations, especially if you're in a hurry. These clinics also help you plan around vaccine timelines, many require multiple doses or need to be taken weeks in advance for full effectiveness, so make sure to plan accordingly.

Should You Get Vaccinated?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, as it depends on your plans and preferences. For city stays, you might stick to the basics, while rural adventurers may want additional coverage.

Vaccinations can feel like a big expense, I know for us it did, but we think of them as an investment in a hopefully stress-free trip. Whether you choose Boots, Superdrug, or your GP, the key is to get professional advice tailored to your itinerary.

Enjoy your travels and stay safe in Thailand! ✈️🇹🇭

We hope you found this blog helpful and we would be so grateful if you drop a like, share and leave a comment!

Share:

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