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Elephant Forest Phitsanulok

About Us

Our Story

Our Vision: A Living Forest for All,

At Elephant Forest Phitsanulok, we envision a place where elephants, wildlife, and people thrive together in harmony with nature. 
Our 360-acre forest sanctuary is more than just a home for rescued elephants—it is a living ecosystem where trees, animals, and communities grow side by side. 
We are committed to preserving this forest for generations to come, providing a safe, natural space where rescued elephants can roam freely, rediscover their instincts, and call it a forever home. 
At the same time, we welcome a diversity of smaller wild animals, creating a balanced and biodiverse environment.
This sanctuary also offers an opportunity for visitors to reconnect with nature—to learn, reflect, and be inspired by the beauty of conservation that is both responsible and in harmony with the natural world. 
We also hope that this forest will continue to benefit the surrounding communities—by creating jobs, supporting education, and fostering meaningful connections with nature that last for generations.
This sanctuary is not just a place — it’s a promise. 
A promise to care for our land, respect our elephants, and inspire future generations to continue this path of compassion and sustainability. 

From Compassion to Conservation

In 2012, Mr. Parphan Siriviriyakul acquired a place called Sappraiwan Resort—a 360-acre forested land once home to a herd of rescued elephants. The land was rich with tens of thousands of trees and had long been a haven for elephants cared for by its former owner. 
After the previous elephants were relocated, Mr. Parphan and his family were left with not just the forest, but also the knowledge, infrastructure, and a sense of purpose. As they visited other elephant camps, they encountered aging elephants—many of them overworked, physically weak, or emotionally withdrawn. Some owners, deeply bonded with their elephants, chose to sell them—not out of neglect, but out of love and a desire for their elephants to retire peacefully.
This moved the family to act. 
They decided to establish a foundation, using their own family funds and support from close friends, to rescue elephants in need and provide them a forever home. Their goal was simple yet profound: to create a place where elephants could live freely, heal, and rediscover who they were. 
The Sappraiwan Elephant Foundation was formed to ensure that elephant care and welfare would not depend on the hotel business or its financial risks. 
The family also allowed the foundation to use the land free of charge, and continues to cover essential expenses such as food, healthcare, and mahout support.
From the beginning, Mr. Parphan made one promise: to preserve the forest. He deeply valued every tree, and every decision—whether in construction or daily operations—was made with the intention to cut down as little as possible. 
The family also dedicated themselves to learning. His children stepped in, working side-by-side with former mahouts to understand elephant care in real-world conditions. With time, they improved their welfare practices—transitioning from tourist activities like bareback riding and hotel-side feeding to more natural experiences that prioritized the elephants’ needs. 

Transformation Through Crisis and Care

During the COVID-19 pandemic, tourism came to a halt. Yet this pause offered a chance to reflect. At Sappraiwan Elephant Foundation, we used this time to rethink how to care for elephants in a more ethical and sustainable way.
That’s when we partnered with World Animal Protection (WAP) and joined their Build Back Better initiative. With their support, we created a sustainable food project—developing our own planting area with a solar-powered irrigation system. This reduced reliance on external food supplies, cut costs and emissions, and ensured a chemical-free diet for our elephants. 
Beyond food security, this partnership introduced us to the concept of a high-welfare, elephant-friendly venue, where elephant well-being is the priority. 
With this new understanding and our years of hands-on experience, we embraced a new vision: to grow Sappraiwan into a true sanctuary—ethical, nature-guided, and centered on the elephants. 

Elephant Forest Phitsanulok

– A High-Welfare, Truly Elephant-Friendly Venue

We strengthened our partnership with World Animal Protection (WAP) by joining their transition program to become a High-Welfare, Truly Elephant-Friendly Venue. 
Through this journey, World Animal Protection (WAP) provided expert guidance—helping us adapt our care to elephants’ natural behaviors, redesign visitor experiences to focus on observation over interaction, and add educational components. They also supported the well-being of our mahouts, who play a vital role in ensuring elephant welfare.
This transformation gave rise to Elephant Forest Phitsanulok—a forest with purpose.
A place where elephants are treated as individuals. 
Where human presence is gentle, not demanding. 
And where elephants, people, and nature grow together—in harmony.

What We Stand For

We are proud to partner with World Animal Protection (WAP) as a high-welfare and elephant-friendly venue, where elephants can roam, forage, bathe, and rest on their own terms.

We maintain the forest not only for elephants, but for the ecosystem—protecting small wildlife and native plants.  

We maintain the forest not only for elephants, but for the ecosystem—protecting small wildlife and native plants.  

Most importantly, we aim to be a model: showing that it’s possible to care deeply for elephants and run a financially sustainable sanctuary without compromising welfare. 

Looking Ahead

As the property continues to grow under the next generation, so does our mission. Surrounded by ongoing development, we choose to preserve this forest as a living legacy. Our vision is to inspire a better future for Thailand’s captive elephants—one where they live in semi-wild conditions, express natural behaviors, and are treated with the dignity they deserve. 
We believe that by sparking awe through the presence of elephants, we can inspire people to reconnect with nature—and protect it. 

Elephant Forest Phitsanulok

"A forest where elephants roam, people reconnect, and nature thrives."

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1/79 Moo.2, Kengsopha, Wangthong, Thailand, Phitsanulok 65220

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