About Somboon Legacy Foundation
An ethical hands-off elephant sanctuary in Kanchanaburi, ThailandGiving Elephants a Second Chance
Somboon Legacy Foundation is a non-governmental organization (NGO) dedicated to rescuing and caring for elephants that have spent much of their lives working in tourism, logging, or street wandering.
Our sanctuary provides a peaceful, lush environment where these elephants can recover, rebuild social bonds, and live with dignity in a setting that respects their natural behavior.
By focusing on ethical, hands-off care, Somboon Legacy aims to give elephants the opportunity to experience a calmer and more natural life after years of demanding work.
Our Story
Somboon Legacy Foundation was founded by Khun Kulsak Chotiyaputta, Agnes Tammenga, Diana Harinck and Manouk Maas from the Netherlands on the 13th of March 2019, Thailand’s National Elephant Day
The foundation was created to provide a safe and respectful home for elephants that have spent much of their lives working in tourism, logging, or street wandering.
Today, Somboon Legacy offers these elephants the opportunity to live peacefully, socialize with other elephants, and experience a calmer life in a natural environment.
A Sanctuary Focused on the Elephants
At Somboon Legacy Foundation, the well-being of the elephants always comes first.
Our sanctuary follows a hands-off philosophy, meaning visitors observe elephants respectfully without riding, bathing, or forcing interactions. This allows elephants to regain their natural behaviors and live with dignity.
Located in the forests of Kanchanaburi Province, the sanctuary provides a peaceful environment where elephants can roam, forage, and interact more naturally.
Giving elephants the peaceful life they deserve
Every elephant deserves a life free from stress, chains, and forced labor.
Our sanctuary exists to give rescued elephants the chance to live peacefully, naturally, and with dignity.
Our Mission & Vision
Our Mission is to create a space that reshapes how people interact with wildlife, local communities, and travel experiences, by providing a respectful environment where retired elephants can live a peaceful live and visitors learn through ethical, sustainable, and immersive experiences.
Vision
We envision to help build a future where elephants are no longer held in captivity, and where travel, conservation, and local communities exist in balance through sustainable and ethical practices.