Our Herd | Phangan Elephant Sanctuary
Mee Boon
Meet Grandma Meeboon at Phangan Elephant Sanctuary! She’s had a tough life, as she’s spent most of it being ridden by tourists. When the COVID situation hit, she was given a break from this exhausting work, but unfortunately it actually caused some problems for her.
You see, when she doesn’t have a job, she doesn’t receive the same level of care, and she often doesn’t have enough food. Plus, she’s often chained up and unable to move around as much as she’d like. It’s almost like she’s been imprisoned for the past three years or more!
All of this has really taken a toll on her health. Her legs have become weak, and she has trouble laying down to sleep. We want to give Grandma Meeboon the care and love she deserves, so she can live out her golden years in peace and comfort.
✝ Died in July 2023 You will remain in memory & in our hearts
Jai Dee
Let us introduce you to Grandma Jai Dee! Despite her calm demeanor and friendly appearance, she’s always ready to defend herself if another elephant comes too close. It’s not often that we see an elephant who’s accepting of its female mahout, but Grandma Jai Dee had a special bond with her old mahout – an old woman close to her own age.
Even in her old age, Grandma Jai Dee was still working in the trekking industry until we came to help her. Unfortunately, she lost all of her teeth many years ago, which has made it difficult for her to eat regular food. That’s why we have to prepare special food for her – we grind it up so it’s fine and soft, making it easier for her to chew.
We’re committed to making sure that Grandma Jai Dee has the best possible care during her golden years.
Yin Dee
Yin Dee was born in 1990. Today, she lives in safety but her journey here was not easy.
She was rescued from an elephant riding camp in Pattaya in August 2023, where her life left lasting marks on her body. When she first arrived at the sanctuary, her right ear was full of blood from a severe skin infection and a large abscess caused by her previous workplace. Now, her wound has fully healed, but it seems she has lost balance on her right side. Because of this, her right ear can no longer move as freely as her left, and she still feels discomfort on that side. When the keepers feed her, they gently approach from the left to help her feel more comfortable and secure.
Mee Sook
Mee Sook was born around 1980. Her name means happiness but her life hasn’t always been easy.
She was rescued from an elephant riding camp in Pattaya in March 2024, where years of difficult experiences left deep emotional and physical scars. Because of what she went through, Mee Sook became aggressive and defensive, especially around women and children.
Her behavior today is shaped by her past. Like many elephants who have suffered mistreatment, she learned to protect herself in a world that was not always kind to her.
Mee Sook also carries a visible reminder of her past, a star-shaped scar on her hip. It was caused by hot branding, once used to mark ownership. Today, elephants are no longer branded like this. Instead, they are identified with microchips, a small but meaningful sign of progress.
Final message:
Mee Sook’s story reminds us that healing takes time… and that kindness is the most powerful way to care for elephants.
Mali
Mali means “Jasmine flower” in Thai. She was born around 1986 and was rescued from an elephant riding camp in Pattaya. She is completely blind in her right eye, which happened before she arrived in Pattaya, under the care of her previous owner, before we rescued her in January 2026. Sadly, it’s quite common for elephants to pass through multiple owners before finally being rescued — just like Mali.
