Maerim Elephant Sanctuary In Chiang Mai, Thailand: Is It Ethical?

Are you looking for an ethical elephant encounter while vacationing in Thailand? Maybe you’ve heard of Maerim Elephant Sanctuary and are trying to work out if it’s the right place for you. With many tours and sanctuaries available, how do you know which is ethical and which is not? 

Seeing and interacting with an elephant up close is something which is on so many people’s bucket lists, especially when visiting Thailand. And why wouldn’t it be? Elephants are grand and majestic creatures, intelligent and strong yet so many of them are exploited for tourism. 

Maerim Elephant Sanctuary in Chiang Mai was where we decided to head, but how ethical is it really?

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Ethical Elephant Encounters In Chiang Mai, Thailand: Should You Visit Maerim Elephant Sanctuary? 

In this post, I’ll talk about our experience visiting the Maerim Elephant Sanctuary in Chiang Mai, Thailand. I’ll also cover topics including:

• Whether or not we think Marim Elephant Sanctuary is an ethical elephant encounter.
• I’ll explain why it’s important to choose an ethical activity and how to tell if it is ethical.
• I’ll briefly introduce the elephants at Maerim, how they are looked after and explain why they are at the sanctuary.
• Finally, I’ll include some advice, tips and costs on visiting Maerim Elephant Sanctuary if you choose to visit.

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Visiting Maerim Elephant Sanctuary 

Firstly, I just want to say that I am no expert on ethical animal encounters and to please remember that these are my personal thoughts and opinions. 

After digging around the internet and reading many reviews we decided on visiting Maerim Elephant Sanctuary in Chiang Mai, Thailand. It wasn’t without apprehension as we had read some negative reviews, however, the majority of positive thoughts strongly outweighed the rest. 

Our goal was to see elephants and as long as we weren’t going to a place where they were being hurt or mistreated, that was ethical – right? We were happy with our decision at the time. 

👉  You can check out the Maerim Elephant Sanctuary homepage here.

Elephant Encounters

The first time I visited Thailand, back in 2009, I can admit that I did ride an elephant. Young and blissfully ignorant of the cruelty they endured, my gentle giant did have chains and scars. I can remember at the time thinking it didn’t feel right yet we continued on. I left that encounter feeling saddened by the day.

Fast forward 13 years, and I left Maerim Elephant Sanctuary feeling positive, with a sense of understanding that although it’s not the perfect sanctuary, the animals are loved. And, that the life they have at the sanctuary is much better than the one they had before. 

If I was an elephant, given the situation, I know where I’d rather be! Would I recommend Maerim Elephant Sanctuary? I would. However, there are also other sanctuaries which I’ve come to realise are more ethical.

We choose Maerim Elephant Sanctuary in the end as it fitted into our travel budget and we thought it was an ethical experience. There were a few others which claimed to be truly ethical but they were more expensive. I now understand why.  Let’s dig a little deeper into this!

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Is Maerim Elephant Sanctuary Ethical?

In truth, I find this is a really hard question to answer. There are many things to consider and I don’t believe the answer is as simple as yes or no. 

On the one hand, the sanctuary is a better place for the elephants to live if you think about where they were before. They are cared for 24/7, fed, bathed and seemingly left to wander freely. On the other, they are swamped with tourists and still have an unnatural routine which is repeated three times a day, most days.

There are many questions. Why is this a bad thing? Is being swamped with tourists fair on the elephants? Is repeating these activities every day, over and over again natural? Probably not, but then again, does that mean that it’s not an ethical sanctuary? Honestly, I’m still not sure. 

What Is Ethical?

What is the definition of Ethical? The Oxford Language refers to “avoiding activities or organisations that do harm to people or the environment”. We can take this as doing harm to animals as well.

Is Maerim doing harm to their animals? I don’t believe they are. Would it be better if they were not interacting with humans, probably.

Consider This…

However, one thing we need to remember is that elephants do not come cheap. The sanctuaries have to buy the elephants from logging companies, riding camps and circuses. This costs tens of thousands of dollars, and baby elephants are even more expensive! 

Additionally, the sanctuaries have to feed their rescued elephants and care for them. They need constant watch so they don’t wander onto a farmer’s land destroying livelihoods. The land itself needed for the sanctuary wouldn’t have come cheap, and if they want to rescue more elephants they will need more land. Maintenance and running costs also need to be considered. 

So, the question begs, how do they afford this? Well, they open the sanctuary to us. 

Why Are Elephants Not Returned To The Wild?

In an ideal world, in which deforestation wasn’t a threat, these elephants would be returned to the wild. However, the reality is that most of these elephants would struggle to survive by themselves having been born into captivity or taken so young they have known no different. Plus, their habitat is being destroyed so if they were able to survive it’s likely they would be re-captured. 

What’s Not Ethical About it? 

The one thing we were able to do at the Maerim Elephant Sanctuary was to give them mud baths, play with them and feed them. This was an incredible experience which we really enjoyed, however, knowing what I know now, I’m not so sure I can say it’s ethical. 

Although elephants will bathe in mud in the wild, to be made to do it over and over again for the enjoyment of tourists isn’t really benefitting the elephants, only the tourists. So practising a more hands-off approach might be a more ethical alternative. 

However, the counterargument to that is if this activity ended will there be enough tours coming in to keep the sanctuary open? We’ve already covered the need for an income and if not, will they have to close? And, what would happen to the elephants if so?

✔️ And, in any case, the elephants did appear to be enjoying their mud baths.

The Hands-On Or Hands-Off Approach

This is the big question when it comes to ethical elephant encounters and one which I’m still not sure about. The jury’s out on whether a hands-on approach is ethical or not. That said, I do believe that as long as the elephants are happy and thriving then I don’t see it being a terrible thing. 

There are a handful of sanctuaries which do practice a hands-off approach however they are more expensive to visit and might simply be out of budget. They were for us.

With that in mind, should you not visit an elephant sanctuary if you can’t afford the more ethical one? Maybe not, but then it still leaves those that are hands-on with a funding issue. 

I will say that at the time of visiting, we didn’t realise this was something we needed to consider. In hindsight, would we have gone somewhere else? Probably, but knowing what I know about Maerim Elephant Sanctuary I would go back.

Why? We saw a sanctuary where the elephants were loved and cared for. When we went for their mud bath one elephant didn’t want to go and was not forced, instead, it went freely back to another area. 

✅ So, is Maerim Elephant Sanctuary ethical? It’s as ethical as it can be, at this time, considering the facts and although I would recommend visiting a hands-off elephant sanctuary I don’t think Maerim Elephant Sanctuary should be boycotted. They do a great job caring for and protecting their elephants and maybe in the future they will be able to change their approach.

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Why Is It Important To Choose An Ethical Elephant Encounter?

It’s important to choose an ethical animal encounter where ever you go. Countless animals are exploited for the entertainment of tourists and unfortunately, many of us are still ignorant of what goes on. 

Choosing an ethical elephant encounter will help ensure that the animals are treated with kindness and respect and that their welfare is protected. It also supports conservation efforts (elephants are an endangered species), and responsible tourism and provides an opportunity to learn about these magnificent animals in a safe and healthy environment.

Things To Consider When Choosing

There are a few important things to consider when choosing your ethical elephant encounter and the more research you do into a company will ensure you get the experience which is right for you. 

✔️ Location: Make sure you look for an encounter that takes place in an environment that is similar to the elephant’s natural habitat. Avoid places that keep elephants in small enclosures or chains, as this can cause physical and psychological harm.

✔️ How Many People Per Tour: The smaller the groups the better. Jack and I went at low season and were lucky to have the day to ourselves. I have read that Mareim Elephant Sanctuary will have groups of up to 35 during peak season! We feel that this is too many and it’s something Mariem should re-think. 

✔️ Treatment: Ensure that the elephants are treated with respect and kindness. Avoid places that use cruel training methods, such as the use of bullhooks or other sharp objects, or those that force elephants to perform tricks or carry heavy loads.

✔️ Interaction: Preferably, choose an encounter that allows for observation or interaction with the elephants from a distance, rather than direct contact. Wherever you choose ensure there is no riding!

✔️ Local Community: Consider the impact of the encounter on the local community. Choose an encounter that supports local conservation efforts and provides employment opportunities for the community.

✔️ Read Past Reviews: It’s important to get a feel for the sanctuary and the best way to do this is to read reviews on non-biased sites such as Trip Advisor and Google.

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Resources For Thailand

Is it your first time visiting Thailand? We’ve written lots of useful posts to help you plan your trip. You can check them all out on our Thailand Page here, but below are some of our most popular articles:

• Thailand is generally considered a cheap country to visit; you’ll be able to find really great affordable accommodation.
• Do you know the elephant is the national animal of Thailand?
• Discover the southern islands on a boat trip and go snorkelling from our favourite island – Koh Mook.
• Don’t forget to enjoy an adventure tour while you visit Phuket!
• Have you heard of Kanchanaburi? Head there for a combination of war history and nature.
• Finally, discover the best way to go north Ayutthaya, drive a scooter to Pai and where to rent it in Chiang Mai.

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Our Experience At The Sanctuary

Overall, we did have a fantastic experience at Maerim Elephant Sanctuary. We choose to visit on the half day which meant we were getting picked up at 7:30 am from the centre of Chiang Mai. Luckily, we were the only ones on the morning tour and so had the sanctuary – and the elephants – to ourselves. 

This made the experience even more wonderful for us and why I cannot fault the sanctuary in any way. The elephants were happy, playful and social and were not forced into doing anything with us. 

On Arrival 

Once we arrived at the sanctuary we were introduced to the elephants and gave them some water via a hose pipe. Afterwards, we headed inside and were given clothes to change into before watching an introduction video to watch on health and safety. 

After that, we went straight to fill up our bags with fresh vegetables and fruit, since it was only the two of us we were given extra bags to fill up. At this point, we were told the baby wasn’t joining us as it was unwell so they were keeping it separate, which was fine with us!

Meeting The Elephants

The first thing we did was go around the back of the sanctuary and meet the rest of the elephants, fed them and watched them play. We were introduced to their Mahouts and our guide began telling us about the elephants, their stories and some fun elephant facts… about elephant dung!

Next, we all walked over to the mud pool and joined in giving them a bath. The elephants went straight in apart from one which was refusing to go and so went back to the main enclosure where we had entered and was left there. The others seemed to be enjoying their bath!

Finally, we took the elephants to rinse off in another pool. I do want to say that they got up and went on their own accord at this point however, this was our experience and might not be what happens every time as I have read differently. 

Nevertheless, from what we experienced, these elephants were not being mistreated and were seemingly happy to interact with us. At the end of it all, elephants are social animals and if they are enjoying interacting with us, then why not?

Making A Thai Noodle Soup

After our elephant encounter, we were taken back to the house where we were shown (in the most basic sense) how to make Thai Noodle Soup. It was a nice way to end the day, albeit a little bit of an odd addition, but I’m not complaining. Free food, right? 

There is also a swimming pool which you can use to cool off and they do serve cold beer.

About The Elephants

Maerim Elephant Sanctuary has seven elephants. We were told the story of each elephant during our visit but the underlying message was that they were severely mistreated and abused before arriving at the sanctuary.

Most of them had come from the logging companies where they were kept chained and beaten, malnourished and forced to work long hard days, every day. As a result of these factors, logging elephants have a significantly shorter lifespan than their wild counterparts. They are also more likely to suffer from injuries and illnesses, and their quality of life may be severely compromised.

A few of the others were rescued from riding camps and circuses. Riding elephants is a form of animal exploitation and is highly unethical. Elephants that are used for rides are often subjected to brutal training methods, such as phajaan or “crush” training, which involves separating young elephants from their mothers and subjecting them to physical abuse to break their spirits. 

Circus elephants have a long history of mistreatment and exploitation too, and their use in circuses has been widely criticised by animal welfare organisations. The harsh conditions in which they are kept and the physical demands of performing can lead to a variety of health problems and injuries, some of which can be fatal.

What To Bring

The great thing about Maerim is that they provide almost everything for you. You will get clothes to change into and a bowl of soup for lunch!

✔️ What you will need to bring is a swimming costume, insect repellant and plenty of sun protection! Flip flops are also good for walking around the enclosure and a fresh towel for use at the pool although you can rent one for a small fee. 

✅ Good To Know: The sanctuary has its own photographer where you can purchase a USB stick from them with the day’s photos but you’re also allowed to take your own photos.

Maerim Elephant Sanctuary Location

How To Volunteer

Volunteering at Maerim Elephant Sanctuary is an incredible opportunity if you want to grow a deeper appreciation for these animals while helping the team care for them. The volunteer programme will teach you about elephants, their threats and how we can protect them alongside a joyful and unique experience.

Additionally, you will receive training to become a tour guide, allowing you to assist newcomers in seeing just how the sanctuary runs. As a volunteer, you are required to stay for at least four weeks.

✅ If you’re interested contact: merimelephantsanctuary@gmail.com

Prices To Visit Maerim Elephant Sanctuary

You can choose from a morning and afternoon visit which includes the same activities or a full-day experience which included additional activities. 

What’s Included? ​​The day begins with pick-up at your hotel, followed by a 45-minute drive to the sanctuary. Upon arrival, you’re going to change into traditional mahout clothing and greet the elephants with their own basket of bananas.

The experience includes playing with the elephant family and learning about their behaviour and past. You can enjoy a mud spa with the elephants and have the opportunity to bathe with them.

Afterwards, learn how to make traditional noodle soup and relax in the sun by the swimming pool. The day would conclude with a return drive back to the hotel and drop off.

Full-Day Visit

Pick up: 9:00 / 9:30 pm
Drop off: 17:00 pm
Price: 2,000 THB

What’s Included? The same as above, plus you will also help the staff forage for elephant treats and go for a walk in the jungle with the elephants along a stream surrounded by nature and local farms. Later, you will enjoy bathing and playing with the elephants in the sand before saying goodbye to them.

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Elephant Sanctuary FAQs

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Conclusion: Is Maerim Elephant Sanctuary Ethical?

I would say that Maerim Elephant is not the most ethical elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai in terms of providing the most natural environment for the elephants. However, I will say that I don’t think the sanctuary is unethical. 

My definition of unethical is an activity or organisation that does harm to the animals and I just don’t feel that Maerim is doing harm to their animals. 

Are there more ethical approaches which could be installed, sure, but is this a deciding factor not to go, no, not for me. As I’ve said before, the animals appeared happy and readily interacted with us. They were not forced to interact and went willingly to each activity. 

There is always more work to be done to improve animal encounters such as these and the best outcome will always be a reintroduction into the wild. However, this is not always possible, and given the previous lives they have had to endure, this is certainly an improvement. 

👉 Read Next: Discovering the Charm of Chiang Mai: Is it Worth Visiting?