ABOUT RANTONG
Elephant Centre
Our Mission
Founded by Khun Tea and Khun Nui, Rantong Elephant Centre is devoted to preserving the future of abused captive elephants in Chiang Mai and across Thailand. Every elephant we rescue brings us closer to giving vulnerable captive elephants a safer and better future. Our goals go beyond protection and prevention: we strive to educate the public on how elephants truly live, how they express natural behaviors, and what brings them genuine happiness in a safe environment—because elephants are wild animals, not entertainers. With the help of public generosity and private donations, we have rescued over 40 elephants to date. In 2015, we opened a new venue at Rantong Elephant Centre originally designed for young elephants and older elephants who had been abused, giving them a better quality of life, space to roam, and appropriate care and respect from elephant lovers.
Khun Tea and Khun Nui
Real Lives Real Change
Our Story
1817
Where it all began
Elephants are deeply honored in Thailand. In 1817, the Thai flag featured a white elephant inside a white chakra on a red background. In the late 19th century, the teak industry became the country's main business, and many more elephants were domesticated for logging. Mass deforestation led to deadly flash floods that killed many elephants and people, and the government abolished logging. Elephant owners were left with no income to feed their elephants, and many took to begging in the streets. This was the start of the elephant's journey toward eco-tourism, and the world in which our venue was established.
2007
A New Begining
Our story began in 2007, when we adopted Boon Som, a blind elephant, from an extremely abusive mahout. Boon Som had spent many years working in the forest and had been injected with amphetamines to make him work harder. After his rescue he could finally retire to a new home by the river, with plenty of food and care for his health. Recovery, however, took a long time. He fell into a coma, and Khun Tea and his family kept watch over him every day for six months. His body was covered in massive, painful wounds, but with wound treatment, vitamins, and anti-parasitic medicine, he slowly began to improve. He started eating regularly, gained weight, and has now fully recovered from his traumatic past. Devoted to giving elephants a better quality of life, Khun Tea and his family never stopped rescuing. Thong In, an older elephant, was the second to join the family, and since then our herd has grown beyond our expectations. Our passion continues to grow, and educating the public about Asian elephants in Chiang Mai is of great importance to us.
2009
Opening to the Public
In 2009, we opened to the public. Running an elephant venue is costly, so Khun Tea and Khun Nui chose to share their experiences with visitors and to run it as a business, a decision that was necessary for the elephants' ongoing care. Rantong Elephant Centre is small, but it has become one of the best-known elephant venues in Chiang Mai and northern Thailand. We strive to educate visitors about the painful history of elephants. Some tourists simply want a photo with an elephant, but our mission is to show them what lies behind caring for one. Many people still abuse elephants for financial gain. Our aim is a better quality of life for elephants in a safe, natural setting: the right amount of food, water and exercise.
2024
Our Journey Towards Elephant-Friendly Tourism
Over time, founders and owners Khun Tea and Khun Nui recognized the long-term impact that traditional tourism activities have on elephants. Because of their immense size and strength, elephants used for riding or close-contact interaction require strict control, which restricts their freedom and choices. Driven by a clear determination to improve the welfare of Thailand's elephants, they decided to change. In 2024 we approached World Animal Protection, a global organization working to end elephant entertainment, to help us make that change properly.
Words like "ethical" and "sanctuary" are not regulated welfare guarantees, so they don't tell visitors how elephants are actually cared for. Observation-based does not mean removing people from elephant care. Skilled mahouts and caregivers still provide daily care and keep visitors safe. What it removes is the expectation that elephants must perform or interact directly with visitors for entertainment. This allows them to express natural behaviors and gives them more say over how they spend their time. Together, we are transforming Rantong Elephant Centre into a more sustainable, high-welfare venue.
A True Observational Experience
To prioritize elephant welfare and human safety, Rantong Elephant Centre has shifted its focus towards observation-based experiences. Through our educational programmes, visitors have the unique opportunity to learn deeply about elephant behavior, participate in preparing nutritious food and supplementary treats for our herd, and understand their daily care routines. By stepping away from direct physical contact, we empower our elephants to:
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Graze, bathe, and socialize naturally within their herd
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Make their own choices with greater freedom and minimal constraint
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Express natural behaviors without being required to perform for tourist entertainment
When you visit us and take part in our observation-led programmes—from preparing healthy food to observing their daily lives—you can watch these magnificent animals living peacefully alongside one another and gain meaningful insight into their true nature. It is a more authentic, educational, and respectful way to meet and learn about elephants. Throughout 2025-2026, World Animal Protection's partnership and support have helped Khun Tea and Khun Nui bring their dream to life: a peaceful environment that offers a supportive venue setting for elephants. Today our elephants graze, bathe, and socialize freely within their herd, at their own pace and by their own choices.
Support Our Transition
Transforming our operational model and providing ethical, lifelong care for elephants entails significant ongoing costs. As a high-welfare venue, we rely heavily on the support of visitors, donors, and animal lovers worldwide. You can be a part of Khun Tea and Khun Nui's mission. By visiting Rantong Elephant Centre, participating in our educational programmes, and supporting our ethical care model, you help ensure a safe, peaceful, and respectful future for Thailand's elephants.
Join us in experiencing and protecting elephants the way nature intended.