Elephant tourism in Thailand has shifted substantially over the past decade, and Phuket now has several genuine no-riding sanctuaries alongside older-style camps.
What changed
Riding and circus-style shows have been increasingly recognised as harmful to elephant welfare, prompting a wave of "sanctuary" and "rescue" branded venues focused on observation, feeding and bathing rather than riding or performance.
What to look for in a genuine sanctuary
- No riding offered at any point in the visit
- Elephants not performing tricks or painting for tourists
- Visible, unrestricted space for elephants to move, rather than permanent chaining
- Transparent information about where the elephants came from and why they can't be released to the wild (most Thai elephants are captive-bred or rescued from logging/tourism work and cannot survive an unassisted return to the wild)
A word of caution
"Sanctuary" branding is not independently regulated in Thailand, and some venues use the label while still offering riding or performances — reviews mentioning specific practices (not just star ratings) are the more reliable check before booking.