Bangkok Elephant Care Program at Elephant Park Bangkok

Bangkok Elephant Park is a purpose-built, ethical elephant rescue and rehabilitation sanctuary located on a fertile, rural plot in Bangkok’s eastern Nong Chok district. Established out of a mission to end elephant exploitation in forced labor and riding camps, it serves as a peaceful retirement home where rescued elephants can live naturally while educating visitors on wildlife conservation.

The park is designed around a strict no-riding and no-performance policy. Instead, visitors take part in a hands-on care routine within a picturesque landscape of jungles, open grazing fields, and natural mud ponds.

What to Expect (Typical Program Flow)

Educational Briefing: Upon arrival, guides explain the individual rescue stories of the resident elephants, the differences between Asian and African species, and safety rules for respectful interaction.

Cultural Souvenir Workshop: Visitors participate in a unique cultural break to craft a traditional, handmade Thai herbal inhaler (Ya Dom) to keep as a souvenir.

Feeding & Care Routine: You get up close to hand-feed the elephants fresh fruits like bananas, pineapples, and cucumbers. Afterward, you help mash nutritious ingredients to roll into specialized elephant vitamin balls.

Jungle Walk & Observation: Guests walk alongside the elephants at a respectful distance as they roam freely into the jungle, graze on native plants, and socialize.

Mud Spa & River Bathing: A major highlight where you enter the natural pools to apply protective mud to their skin and then help brush and scrub them clean in the water.

Amenities & Dining: Programs conclude with time to shower and change (towels and uniforms are provided), followed by an authentic traditional Thai buffet lunch box.

Practical Information

Duration: Offers half-day morning (approx. 7:00 AM – 1:00 PM) and afternoon (approx. 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM) programs, as well as full-day packages.

Transportation: Located roughly 1 to 1.5 hours from downtown Bangkok. Booking options are available with or without round-trip hotel transfers.

Photography: Sanctuary photographers take professional photos of your interactions throughout the day and upload them online for free download.