Our Elephants
Each elephant carries a storyThe Elephants of Somboon Sanctuary
Each one carries a story of resilience and recovery.
Malee
Age: 90+
Meaning of name: Jasmine
Personality
Malee is a calm and gentle elephant. She enjoys spending time near the other elephants and is often seen quietly observing what is happening around her. She prefers peaceful surroundings and moves slowly but confidently through the forest.
History
Malee has lived through many difficult experiences in her long life. She was previously used for work in the logging industry before eventually being moved around different parts of Thailand. After many years of hard labor, she was finally brought to the Kanchanaburi province where she could begin a calmer chapter of her life.
Today, Malee lives peacefully at Somboon Legacy Foundation where she can roam freely and spend time with the other elephants.
Distinguishing features
Malee has a tall and slender body that weighs approximately 2,450 kilograms. You will often notice a small notch in her trunk and that her left leg crosses slightly when she walks, a lasting reminder of injuries from the logging industry.
Kham Phaeng
Age: 65+
Meaning of name: Chiang Mai town
Personality
Kham Phaeng is a calm and independent elephant. She enjoys walking through the forest and often prefers spending quiet time exploring the sanctuary.
History
Kham Phaeng previously worked in a trekking camp in Pattaya where she spent many years giving rides to tourists. During that time she was chained and exposed to difficult living conditions.
Over the years she developed health problems, including swelling from eating low-quality food commonly given to working elephants. After being rescued and brought to Somboon Legacy Foundation, she finally received proper care and the opportunity to recover.
Today she continues to regain strength and confidence in a peaceful environment.
Distinguishing features
Kham Phaeng is a tall elephant with a strong skull and a missing ear tip. Her long legs and distinctive head shape make her easy to recognize.
Khun (Kham Khun)
Age: 60+
Meaning of name: Good or kind person
Personality
Khun is a friendly elephant who enjoys social interactions. Sometimes he behaves playfully and shows a curious personality when meeting visitors or interacting with the other elephants.
History
Khun spent many years working in the logging industry before eventually ending up begging on the streets. After being rescued, he was given the opportunity to live in a safer environment where he could slowly rebuild trust with people and elephants.
Now at Somboon Legacy Foundation, Khun is learning to live more peacefully and enjoy a more natural life.
Distinguishing features
Khun has small tusks and a strong, sturdy build. He is also noticeably larger than Kham Phaeng, making him easy to recognize among the elephants.
Bon Mee
Age: 60+
Meaning of name: Blessing
Personality
Bon Mee has a lively and playful personality. She enjoys interacting with visitors and sometimes curiously reaches out with her trunk to explore her surroundings.
History
Bon Mee previously lived in a trekking camp in Pattaya where she spent many years carrying tourists. Like many elephants used in tourism, she experienced physical strain from the heavy riding saddles.
After arriving at Somboon Legacy Foundation, she was finally able to leave that life behind and begin living more naturally with the other elephants.
Distinguishing features
Bon Mee has very small tusks close to her face and noticeable scars on her back and legs from her previous life in tourism.
Kammoon
Kammoon passed away on December 21, 2025, and was given a farewell worthy of royalty.
Age: 85 years old
Meaning of name: A name commonly used in the Isaan (north-eastern Thailand) language.
Personality
Kammoon was a brave and independent female who played an important role within the herd. She was especially close to Malee and had a strong character. She could be a little naughty and liked to challenge her mahout — and you definitely did not get in the way between Kammoon and her food. As she grew older, she enjoyed resting and taking short naps throughout the day.
History
Kammoon came from the Isaan region and was rented out by her owner, mainly used as a begging elephant. To our knowledge, she did not have any calves.
Distinguishing features
Kammoon was short and chubby, almost always seen eating, and weighed around 3,500 kilograms. She had large, curtain-like ears with pink spots from age, and a round body and head that made her easily recognizable.
Somboon
Age: 65+
Meaning of name: “Complete”
History: She worked in the logging industry for many years before joining a sanctuary, where she lived alongside Kammoon and Malee.
Distinguishing features: Torn ears from her past in the logging industry and a well-proportioned body, which inspired her name.
Her legacy lives on in the name of the Somboon Legacy Foundation.
Why Their Stories Matter
Many elephants in Thailand have endured years of work in logging, tourism, or street begging.
At Somboon Legacy Foundation, these elephants finally have the opportunity to live peacefully and regain their natural behaviors.
Help Protect Elephants Like These
Your visit supports rescued elephants and helps provide them with a safe and peaceful home.