Overview
Sangduean Chailert founded it in 1995 and it has become the reference point for how a sanctuary can work: elephants live in herds they choose, are not chained during the day, and are not made to perform. The park stopped visitor bathing on welfare grounds — the elephants were being brought to the river on a schedule rather than when they wanted to go, which is the same problem in gentler form. Visits are booked in advance and numbers are capped.
Highlights
Book weeks ahead; day visits and overnight stays both sell out, and walk-ins are not possible. Expect to watch and to feed, not to touch — that is the point of the place, and an operator promising rides or baths elsewhere is telling you what it is. The park also runs dog and cat rescues on the same site, which surprises visitors.