Phuket Elephant Sanctuary was founded by Mr. Montri Todtane, who owned an elephant riding camp in Southern Phuket in the past and decided to change his approach towards a more compassionate form of elephant tourism in 2016.

Inspired by Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, Phuket Elephant Sanctuary is a new and final home for elephants who have worked their entire lives in the logging and tourism industry. By joining our programs, visitors can support ethical elephant tourism while enjoying an inspiring and educational experience.

Since opening the sanctuary, Mr. Montri is constantly pushing the boundaries in order to provide the highest level of animal welfare. Interaction with the elephants therefore is limited to a short, non-intrusive feeding moment during some of the tours, and visitors also have the choice to join a “Hands Off Experience” that is currently the only pure observation experience on the island.

In 2020, Phuket Elephant Sanctuary took ethical elephant tourism to yet another level and launched Thailand’s longest canopy walkway from which visitors can observe elephants as they live freely and naturally in the jungle below.

Born in a small hill tribe village in Northern Thailand, Lek grew up surrounded by animals and opportunities to spend time with them. Her grandfather was a traditional healer who helped local people in his community and the injured or sick animals brought to him by the villagers for healing. Lek had the opportunity to witness many of these healings, and it was through these experiences that she learned that all animals deserve to live well, and consequently she decided to dedicate her life to saving animals and later founded Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai.

Being a promoter of positive change in the way that both domestic and wild Asian elephants are treated turned out to be no easy feat given the industry’s deep tradition and lack of education on animal welfare. However, her unwavering commitment and tireless work paid off as she is now internationally known as a voice of change, and has won many honorary awards such as the Ford Foundation’s “Hero of the Planet” in 2001.

Lek’s work and passion continues to inspire all those committed to helping animal welfare and conservation, both in Thailand and beyond. She remains a driving force in the elephant and animal rights movement, raising international awareness and motivating other countries and projects to follow her path.