From a dream conceived in childhood to the reality of Samui Elephant Haven, Maew Suriya shares his heartwarming journey. Growing up in a family that moved from Surin Province to run a circus, Maew was inspired from the young age of seven. Despite training as an accountant, his heart always belonged to the elephants.

A visit to Elephant Nature Park and meeting Lek Chailert turned his dream into a mission: to create an ethical elephant sanctuary in Thailand – where elephants could live freely and happily. Since our doors opened in August 2018, Samui Elephant Haven has become a home and the best elephant sanctuary in Thailand.

14 rescued elephants, who were once trapped in stressful lives, now roam free, expressing natural behaviours in serene surroundings. Our approach is simple: love over profit. We prioritize the well-being of these magnificent creatures, offering visitors a chance to witness elephant joy without intruding on their space.

Our Journey

Elephant Parks

Samui Elephant Sanctuary

Nestled in the north of Koh Samui, the elephant sanctuary Samui Elephant Haven spans 60 rai (over 23 acres) of lush hills and vibrant jungle, complete with natural lakes and serene man-made pools. This ethical sanctuary provides a safe, enriching home where rescued elephants—young, healing, or playful—can thrive and live naturally in peace.

Phangan Elephant Sanctuary

In November 2022, Maew Suriya expanded her mission by founding Koh Phangan Elephant Sanctuary, rescuing elephants abandoned due to declining tourism.
Once a struggling riding camp, it’s now a lush hillside haven where visitors can connect with rescued elephants and witness their inspiring transformation.

Elephant Tours

At Samui Elephant Haven, a leading elephant rescue park in Thailand, we offer a range of immersive experiences for those looking to connect with our magnificent elephants.

Elephant Tour Koh Samui

Elephant Tour Koh Phangan

Full Day Volunteer Program

Spend eight meaningful hours in a group of 2–6 people learning and help us with our daily elephant care routine-clean enclosure, cut grass, and prepare food.

Half Day Tour Program

Enjoy a 3-hour immersive experience walking through our peaceful park, learning Asian elephant behaviors, and observing our gentle giants living their happy life.

Feed The Herd Program

In just 45–60 minutes, feed elephants fresh fruits and handmade rice balls—an easy, hands-on way to support their health and happiness.

Elephant Tour Koh Samui

Elephant Tour Koh Phangan

Our elephants

Our herd of elephants have their own personalities and histories, contributing to the rich tapestry of life at the sanctuary. These magnificent elephants come from various origins across Thailand, having been rescued from challenging circumstances, including trekking camps and the logging industry. At Samui Elephant Haven, we prioritize the well-being of these incredible animals, providing them with a safe and nurturing environment where they can thrive.

Meet The Herd

Meet
The Herd

Aom

Sudarat

Som-O

Moloair

Kwan Samui

Nong Pech

Perm Poon

Sorn Ram

Plai Bank

Sri Nin

Som Boon

Haven

Baby Luna

Sri Nuan

Make The Great Gifts

Support our herd with a gifted elephant cake, Carefully hand-made from the freshest, fresh fruits and veg. Your Contribution brings joy to these and aids their care and well-being. When you gift a cake, you’ll receive Your short video clip of our girls savouring your thoughtful present. We also send you a photo featuring your personalized cake, Complete with a message or name of your choice. Gift an elephant cake today and create a long-lasting memory, while making a tangible impact on the lives of our elephants. Your support means the world to us and them.

Please order 7 days advance so we have plenty of time to create something special just for you.
We can’t wait to make your elephant cake amazing!

How to Help Elephants

Mini Cakes 15 Kg

1,600 THB

Family Cakes 25 Kg

2,500 THB

Jumbo Cakes 80 Kg

5,000 THB

Two elephants roaming around freely in the sanctuary grounds

Two elephants bonding in Koh Samui Sanctuary

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#samuielephanthaven

Sanctuary Reviews

Samui Elephant Haven, an exemplary elephant sanctuary in Thailand, is a truly wonderful and ethical refuge where elephants are treated with the utmost care and respect. Unlike traditional elephant attractions, this haven provides a spacious, free-roaming environment where the animals can live peacefully without being forced to perform or carry tourists.

If you’re looking for a responsible and unforgettable way to experience these incredible animals up close, Samui Elephant Haven is the perfect choice. Highly recommended!

Christoph Mu

(New Orleans, United States of America)

☆☆☆☆☆

I had the most INCREDIBLE experience at Samui Elephant Haven, an ethical elephant sanctuary in Thailand! This is truly an ETHICAL sanctuary that prioritizes the well-being of the elephants over profit. Unlike other places that allow bathing or riding, which are unnatural and stressful for elephants, this sanctuary ensures that the animals live in a way that aligns with their natural behaviors.

I highly recommend Samui Elephant Haven to anyone looking for an ethical and unforgettable elephant experience. You’ll leave with a deep respect for these beautiful animals and the people who care for them!

Diana Fernandez Lozano

(Atlanta, United States of America)

☆☆☆☆☆

If you’re looking for the best elephant sanctuary in Thailand, where the keepers and staff genuinely care for the elephants and provide them with a better life than riding camps or circuses, this is the perfect place to visit! Before coming here, I read the reviews of each elephant sanctuary on the island and chose this one, and I was not disappointed in any way! The guides and the keepers here know the animals so well and are extremely knowledgeable about what they want or need, how to keep them happy and healthy, and they don’t use any sort of inhumane methods to “make the elephants pose for photos.

If you want a wonderful experience like nothing else, please visit this site for a half-day tour!!

Sienna Figg

(London, United Kingdom)

☆☆☆☆☆

We had an amazing experience at this sanctuary today feeding the elephants. The elephants are rescued from places such as circuses and being rode on / bathed by tourists. The guide was amazing and gave lots of information about the elephants we were feeding. I 100% recommend coming here if you are looking for an ethical elephant sanctuary.

Yasmina Z

(Madrid, Spain)

☆☆☆☆☆

Samui Elephant Haven offers a wonderful, ethical experience where you can interact with rescued elephants in a humane way. The highlight is preparing food and feeding the elephants, which is both fun and educational, especially for kids. The sanctuary focuses on caring for the elephants without riding or forcing unnatural behavior, making it a great choice for those looking for a responsible and family-friendly activity in Koh Samui. Highly recommended for animal lovers!

Yaniv Wainer

(Wales, United Kingdom)

☆☆☆☆☆

Blogs

Learn About Elephants

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Endangered Elephant Species: A Global Survival Guide

Elephants, revered as intelligent and majestic creatures, face critical threats to their existence. In Thailand, particularly in regions like Phuket, these gentle giants are integral to cultural...

How Your Visit to an Ethical Elephant Sanctuary Makes a Real Impact

Why Ethical Elephant Tourism Matters Asian elephants have experienced a dramatic decline—nearly 50% over the past centuryม and today around three out of four captive elephants in Asia are still...

Elephant Facts

Dive into delightful elephant facts that will deepen your love and appreciation for these gentle giants at Samui Elephant Haven!

Can elephants remember you?

Yes! Elephants are known for their exceptional memory, which helps them survive in the wild and build strong social bonds. Their memories can last a lifetime—one reason many elephants live 50 to 60 years or more.

Can elephants swim?

Absolutely. Elephants are powerful swimmers. They paddle with all four legs and use their trunks like snorkels. Young elephants especially love splashing and playing in the water!

How strong is an elephant’s trunk?

An adult elephant’s trunk can lift up to three-quarters of a ton! It’s not just strong—it’s also incredibly sensitive and versatile.

How good is an elephant's sense of smell?

Incredible! Elephants have a sense of smell up to 400% more powerful than a bloodhound’s. They can even detect water sources miles away.

How far can elephants see?

Despite their other sharp senses, elephants have relatively poor eyesight. They can only see clearly up to about 20 meters.

What do elephants symbolize?

Elephants symbolize luck, prosperity, strength, wisdom, and longevity. Their remarkable memory and emotional intelligence also make them icons of vitality and resilience.

Samui Elephant Haven

Morning Elephant Tour

Afternoon Elephant Tour

Feeding Program

Our one - dayVolunteer Program

The Journey of Thailand’s Ethical Elephant Sanctuary

Elephant Parks

Samui Elephant Sanctuary

Phangan Elephant Sanctuary

Elephant Tours

Our elephants

MeetThe Herd

Elephant Cakes

Make The Great Gifts

Mini Cakes 15 Kg

Family Cakes 25 Kg

Jumbo Cakes 80 Kg

#samuielephanthaven

Sanctuary Reviews

Christoph Mu

Diana Fernandez Lozano

Sienna Figg

Yasmina Z

Yaniv Wainer

Blogs

Learn About Elephants

12 Amazing Facts About Elephants That Will Surprise You

Endangered Elephant Species: A Global Survival Guide

How Your Visit to an Ethical Elephant Sanctuary Makes a Real Impact

Elephant Facts

Can elephants remember you?

Can elephants swim?

How strong is an elephant’s trunk?

How good is an elephant's sense of smell?

How far can elephants see?

What do elephants symbolize?

BOOK YOUR ROOM

Our one - day
Volunteer Program

Meet
The Herd