Guided by compassion and a deep sense of justice, one man has transformed a childhood heartbreak into a lifelong mission to protect elephants. At Samui Elephant Haven, rescued elephants find safety, freedom, and the chance to live with dignity—on their own terms.
Personal Motivation and Background
What inspired you to dedicate your career to rescuing and rehabilitating elephants?
When I was a child, I saw elephants being made to work and trained for human entertainment. It left me wondering—why do humans get to live freely, while elephants have to endure such things? That feeling of unfairness stayed with me. Over time, it grew into a quiet determination: that one day, when I’m old enough to make my own decisions, I want to change that. I want to give elephants the chance to live the life they truly deserve.
Can you share a personal story or moment that solidified your passion for elephant welfare?
Every morning at Samui Elephant Haven, there’s a special moment when we release the elephants and they start to greet each other—with rumbles, gentle touches, and playful calls. Watching them reconnect like that, it feels just like seeing friends or family come together after time apart. It’s something that happens every day, yet it never loses its magic. It fills me with happiness and a deep sense of peace. Moments like that remind me that what we’re doing here is truly the right thing.
Rescue Operations and Daily Work
Can you describe a typical day working with rescued elephants?
We spend at least 12 hours a day caring for the elephants. Our routine starts at 5 a.m., beginning with feeding and cleaning their sleeping areas. Then we carefully observe their behavior—checking for any signs of discomfort, illness, or changes in their mood. They’re fed every hour, and we pay close attention to hydration, especially for elephants who don’t drink much on their own. Older elephants, in particular, need a gentler approach. They can be quite sensitive, so we give them extra care and constantly monitor their well-being. It’s a long day, often going until 10 at night, but it’s worth every minute. The bond we form with them, and knowing they’re safe and happy, makes it all meaningful.
What are the most common challenges you face during elephant rescues and how do you overcome them?
When people don’t understand the work we do, I believe the first step is to make sure we understand it clearly ourselves. From there, it’s about explaining things with reason and honesty—showing both the benefits and potential consequences of our actions. It’s not always easy, but when we take the time to share the ‘why’ behind our work, it opens the door for others to see it differently, and sometimes even change their perspective.
Can you share a memorable rescue story, such as the rescue of an elephant from captivity or exploitation, and how it impacted you or the team?
There was one elephant who stayed with us—not one we rescued, but one we were temporarily caring for. During the COVID pandemic, her owner wanted to take her back. The thing is, she was the matriarch of our herd. We were heartbroken at the thought of losing her completely. What really struck me was the pain of separation—not just ours, but hers too. It felt like tearing her away from her family, much like how we feel when we’re separated from our own.
We talked to the owner, and after a lot of discussion, he agreed to sell her to us. But that was only the beginning. The price was extremely high—especially during COVID when it was almost impossible to raise money quickly. We were given just seven days. There was no time to waste, but also no clear way forward. It turned into a big controversy. People in the elephant community questioned whether it was reasonable to pay that much, especially when the market price for older elephants had dropped by half. Some even criticized me, saying I was driving up prices. Even within my extended family, there were doubts. Honestly, I felt exhausted.
But one thought kept me going: I didn’t want her to go back into the riding camps, especially not in the later years of her life. That thought made me forget the drama and the criticism. All I could focus on was: how do I help her? A major news outlet eventually contacted me and asked for an interview. They wanted to know what I thought about all the controversy. And I told them honestly—I don’t know what a ‘reasonable’ price for an elephant is. All I know is, for me, my elephants have no price. They are my family. And just like people who rescue dogs or cats wouldn’t put a price on their pets, I can’t put a price on them either. The only question I ask myself is: how can I help her?
Animal Welfare and Ethical Practices
How do you ensure that rescued elephants receive the best possible physical and emotional care?
What gives me confidence is that I work even harder than the mahouts. As the owner, I believe it’s important that I don’t just oversee things—I’m involved in every part of the work. Every elephant is under my watch. What I truly believe in is hands-on responsibility. That’s where my confidence comes from.
What practices does your sanctuary follow to ensure ethical treatment, such as prioritising observation over direct interaction and avoiding exploitative activities like rides or performances?
The first thing we focus on is reducing physical contact and limiting certain close-up activities with the elephants, like bathing them, mud play, or even having them perform or splash around for visitors to watch. You won’t see any of that here. Not even from our mahouts. We have strict guidelines to minimise how much time mahouts spend in the elephants’ space. It’s something we take very seriously, because mahouts, by nature of their role, could still have the ability to control or pressure the elephants. So this isn’t just about limiting contact for tourists—we apply the same principle to our own team. We’re very intentional about reducing interference in the elephants’ personal space. The goal is to give them freedom—freedom to move, explore, and live at their own pace.
How do you help elephants adapt to a new, more natural environment after years of captivity or abuse?
It really comes down to experience and ongoing learning—that’s absolutely essential. Understanding the elephants is key, because it directly impacts the safety of both humans and the elephants themselves. Our approach varies depending on the behavior of each individual elephant. One of the first steps is to create a separate space for the new elephant and observe her behavior over a period of time. That observation phase is crucial, and the length of it depends on how quickly she adapts. Only after we’ve carefully assessed her adjustment can we decide how to move forward. Every step is based on what’s best for her and how we can ensure a safe and respectful environment.
Community and Collaboration
How do you work with local communities, mahouts, and other organizations to improve elephant welfare and promote ethical tourism?
Our main focus is on education—helping people understand elephants and the environments they live in, including how local ecosystems and communities affect their behavior. One of the things we’re most proud of is our work with local schools. Every Friday, we hold a one-hour class for students to come and learn about elephants—how they live, what they need, and why conservation matters. We also welcome educational visits from both local and out-of-town schools. It’s a great way to plant the seeds of awareness and respect for elephants in the next generation.
What role does education play in your rescue and advocacy work for visitors and local residents?
Education is absolutely essential. That’s why so many of our activities focus on building understanding—about elephant welfare, their natural behaviors, and how to respect them as sentient beings. When people, especially tourists, take the time to learn and really understand what we’re trying to do, something shifts. They begin to see elephants differently—not as entertainment, but as living beings who deserve space and dignity. And once they understand that, they often become advocates themselves. They go home and share what they’ve learned, helping to spread awareness and shift the mindset around elephants in tourism.
Impact and Numbers
How many elephants has your organisation rescued, and can you estimate how many lives have been improved or saved due to your work?
Right now, we’re caring for 15 rescued elephants. Over the years, we’ve helped more than 30 elephants in total. Each one has their own story, and every rescue is a reminder of why we do this work.
What changes have you observed in the well-being of elephants or in public attitudes since you began your rescue efforts?
The clearest sign that we’re doing the right thing is seeing the elephants happy—living with freedom, and with their herd, their family. At the beginning, most people didn’t understand what I was doing. Honestly, many thought I was reckless—or even crazy. When I started my first elephant project, which wasn’t here, people couldn’t understand why I would go against traditions that had been passed down through generations. In their eyes, it didn’t make sense. But now, things have changed. People see the reality of what we’ve built. They see the elephants thriving, the project growing, and some of those same people are now asking, ‘How could you do this?’ Their perception has shifted. And to me, that shift is just as important as the work itself.
Professional Development and Reflection
What qualities do you believe are most important for someone working in elephant rescue and rehabilitation?
The most important thing is time. You have to give elephants your time. When you spend time with them—observing their behavior, learning about who they are, building trust—it changes everything. That trust doesn’t come quickly. But with patience and presence, they begin to believe in you. And that connection is everything.
How do you stay informed about the latest research and best practices in elephant care and conservation?
Most of the time is through social media.
What has surprised you most about working with elephants or about the rescue process?
One of the most surprising things for me has been seeing elephants recognise people they haven’t seen in a long time. It’s truly remarkable how they can remember someone, even after such a long time apart.
Challenges and Self-Care
How do you handle emotionally challenging situations, such as witnessing the effects of abuse or making difficult decisions about an elephant’s health?
I always try to relax first to avoid getting too stressed. Then, I need to consider whether the actions I take are legally right and make sure there’s reasoning and feedback based on the law. The hardest part, though, is when an elephant falls ill. It’s incredibly difficult to accept. Even though I try to tell myself that I can handle it, the truth is there’s no easy way to cope. The only thing I can do is focus on the other tasks at hand and leave the medical care to the veterinarians who are better equipped to handle the situation.
What strategies do you use to cope with the stress and emotional demands of your work?
I’m someone who tends to look at things positively. I believe that nothing is ever perfect, and that humans are always capable of making mistakes.
Looking Forward
What are your hopes for the future of elephant rescue and welfare in your region or globally?
My hope for the future, both in our region and globally, is to educate as many tourists as possible about elephants. I believe education is the key to stopping any harmful practices towards elephants and ensuring their well-being.
Are there any upcoming projects or goals you’re particularly excited about?
We have an exciting new project launching soon, and it’s all about reducing excessive physical contact with the elephants. The idea behind it is to allow the elephants to express their natural behaviors and truly observe how they interact with their environment in their own way.
How can people best support your work or get involved in elephant rescue and advocacy?
Everyone can get involved by supporting us through our Samui Elepehant Haven website, Facebook or Instagram. Sharing our story, talking about what we do, and exploring more about us on the website are great ways to help spread the word.
