CHIANG MAI, THAILAND – Tourists arriving in the jungle around Chiang Mai were often met by elephants posing for photos, masking harsher conditions behind the scenes.
Tourist paradise and hidden chains
In the morning light around Chiang Mai, visitors stepped out of minibuses as elephants raised their trunks for pictures that suggested harmony between humans and animals. Away from the cameras, many animals were reportedly secured on short chains for hours, often on hard concrete floors that sharply limited movement and social contact, officially justified as a safety measure. Once the last group left, some elephants were left unable to turn around or interact with others.
From timber workforce to tourist attraction
For centuries, elephants in Thailand had served as heavy laborers rather than tourist companions. They were primarily used in forestry to drag massive teak logs through difficult terrain, a task that demanded extreme physical effort and helped build national infrastructure. The animals functioned as symbols of economic strength and as indispensable tools of development.
1989 logging ban and economic shock
The situation changed abruptly in 1989, when the Thai government imposed a strict logging ban. Thousands of mahouts and their elephants lost their jobs almost overnight and with them their main source of income. Owners suddenly faced the challenge of feeding and housing huge animals without revenue from the timber industry.
Rise of elephant tourism
Out of financial necessity, a new form of elephant tourism emerged as an economic fallback for unemployed mahouts. Camp operators realized that many Western holidaymakers were willing to pay substantial sums to get close to the animals. Elephants were retrained from pulling logs to carrying tourists, painting pictures or performing tricks.
High purchase prices and feeding costs
An elephant became not only a living being but also an expensive investment object in the Thai economy. The purchase price for a healthy animal could reach several million Baht, creating strong pressure on owners to use the elephants as profitably as possible to recoup costs. Experts estimated that basic monthly feed for a single elephant alone cost around 20,000 Thai Baht, roughly 540 euros, excluding staff salaries, land leases and medical reserves.
Unending appetite and seasonal pressures
A fully grown elephant consumed up to ten percent of its body weight in plant material every day. Camps had to provide an estimated 200 to 300 kilograms of grass, banana plants or maize daily for each animal. During the dry season, when natural greenery was scarce, operators often had to buy expensive additional feed, further driving up running costs.
Veterinary risks and cost-cutting
Veterinary care posed another major financial risk for camp owners. Elephants were vulnerable to colic, foot infections and parasites, and specialized medicines in Thailand were described as very costly. Complex treatments in animal clinics could quickly reach tens of thousands of Baht, leading profit-driven camps to cut back on healthcare and sometimes keep sick animals working.
Changing role of mahouts
Traditionally, the mahout was seen as a lifelong companion and protector of a particular elephant. That role was reported to be disappearing, as many camps now hired untrained migrant workers from neighboring countries as handlers. Lacking deep understanding and long-term bonds with the animals, some of these new mahouts resorted more quickly to violence in stressful situations to maintain control.
Breaking the animal’s will
To allow close contact between a wild animal and unprotected tourists, elephants typically underwent early training aimed at breaking their natural will. This process was portrayed as the dark precondition for almost every direct interaction in commercial camps. According to the report, many operators denied such practices, even though obedience was rooted in the early lesson that resistance to humans was futile and painful.
Misread expressions and stereotypic behavior
Visitors often misinterpreted elephant facial expressions, projecting human emotions onto the animals. The anatomy of the mouth could make elephants appear to be permanently “smiling,” even under considerable stress, causing tourists to overlook suffering because outward expression did not match inner condition. A common sight, rhythmic swaying of the head or entire body, was marketed by some guides as “dancing to music,” while experts described the behavior, known as weaving, as a serious disorder triggered by boredom, lack of movement and psychological stress.
Sanctuary labels without guarantees
With awareness of animal welfare growing among travelers, many camps adapted their marketing. Terms such as “Sanctuary”, “Rescue Center” or “Refuge” were not protected in Thailand and were often used liberally. Even facilities charging entrance fees of 3,000 Baht (about 81 euros) reportedly did not always offer better conditions, but instead provided more sophisticated storytelling to ease visitors’ consciences.
Stress behind the bathing experience
In response to criticism of riding, many operators replaced treks with elephant bathing sessions. These were advertised as animal-friendly, yet the animals often had to stand in water for hours while guests washed and sprayed them. Hundreds of hands on sensitive skin could cause damage and prevent natural behaviors such as dust or sand bathing.
Weak legal status and limited protection
Under Thai law, domesticated elephants were still largely treated as private property. They fell under old regulations that classified them as a “Beast of Burden”, comparable to cattle or buffalo. This status granted owners far-reaching control and made legal action by animal welfare advocates against poor keeping conditions extremely difficult.
Lack of state support
A central problem identified in the report was the lack of government financial assistance for owners who chose not to rely on tourism. Without income from entrance fees, most could not cover enormous feed costs. When tourist numbers dropped, elephants risked going hungry, as there was no social safety net or unemployment benefit for the animals.
Unpredictable strength and tourist risk
Despite intensive training, elephants remained wild animals with great power and unpredictable instincts. Serious accidents occurred when bulls entered the hormonal musth phase or when mothers defended their young. Direct contact without protective barriers carried life-threatening risks for tourists that often became apparent only after an incident.
What real protection looks like
According to the account, serious elephant projects operated under a strict hands-off policy, with humans acting only as observers. In such camps, animals could roam freely, play in mud and maintain social bonds without being forced into interactions. The absence of touching, feeding and bathing opportunities was described as the clearest sign that animal welfare, rather than visitor entertainment, was the priority.
Power of tourist choices and slow change
The report stated that tourists ultimately held the greatest power to change conditions for elephants in Thailand.
“Every euro spent on shows or rides supports exploitation, while visiting genuine protection projects promotes change.”
said the article’s authors, referring to the principle that demand shaped supply and could push operators toward reform. Awareness of animal welfare was reported to be rising among travelers and younger Thais, and more tour operators were removing questionable camps from their programs in favor of ethical alternatives.
Outlook and note on prices
The transformation from exploitation to a more respectful coexistence was described as slow but already underway. The report emphasized that all mentioned prices and conversions were based on an exchange rate of about 37 Thai Baht to one euro as of 2026. It also advised readers that local conditions could change and recommended checking current reviews before visiting any elephant facility.