FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions about visiting Somboon Legacy FoundationWe Are Moving – This Is How to Get Here After April 1st
We have a new location!
Starting April 1st, we are located in the Sai Yok area, Kanchanaburi Province.
Advance booking is required to organize transportation.
No walk-in visits are possible.
From Bangkok
Train
There are two daily trains between Thonburi Station (Bangkok) and Nam Tok(Sai Yok) with departures at:
- 7:50 AM
- 1:55 PM
The train costs approximately 100 THB.
At Nam Tok Train Station, you can take a local taxi to Phutakien Pier.
This option is suitable for overnight guests only, as arrival times may require staying one night before joining the program.
Minibus
There are hourly minivans from Southern Bus Terminal (Bangkok) to Kanchanaburi Bus Station.
From Kanchanaburi Bus Station, you can:
- Take a private taxi directly to Home Phutoey Resort, or
- Go to Kanchanaburi Train Station to join our shuttle taxi at the following times:
- Morning Program – 7:15 AM
- Full Day Program – 8:15 AM
- Afternoon Program – 10:30 AM
The shuttle taxi brings you to our meeting point at Home Phutoey Resort.
- Afternoon Program: You will start here with lunch.
- Morning & Full Day Programs: We transfer you across the river by boat to begin the program.
Shuttle Taxi Price from Kanchanaburi Station:
- 1,000 THB one way
- 1,600 THB round trip (same day only)
If multiple guests join the shuttle, the cost is shared.
Payment must be made directly to the driver.
Private Taxi (Recommended Driver)
We can recommend Songpol, who can bring you directly from your hotel in Bangkok to Home Phutoey Resort (meeting point for the tours).
You can contact him via WhatsApp in basic English (he uses Google Translate):
+66 (0)94 682 1660
- One way: 2,500 THB
- Round trip: 5,000 THB (including tollway fees)
- Travel time: Approximately 3 hours (depending on traffic)
From Kanchanaburi
Train
There are two daily trains between Kanchanaburi Train Station and Nam Tok with departures at:
- 10:35 AM
- 4:26 PM
At Nam Tok Train Station, you can take a local taxi to Phutakien Pier.
This option is suitable for overnight guests only.
Somboon Shuttle Taxi
Available from Kanchanaburi Train Station:
- Morning Program – 7:15 AM
- Full Day Program – 8:15 AM
- Afternoon Program – 10:30 AM
Price:
- 1,000 THB one way
- 1,600 THB round trip (only same day)
Shared cost if multiple guests join.
Payment is made directly to the driver.
Private Taxi
From your hotel in Kanchanaburi City to Home Phutoey Resort:
- 1,000 THB one way
- 1,600 THB round trip (same day)
Please arrive at Home Phutoey Resort at the following times:
- Morning Program – 8:45 AM
- Full Day Program – 9:45 AM
- Afternoon Program – 12:00 PM
Own Transportation
If you rent a car, you must arrive at Home Phutoey Resort, as our boat shuttle departs from there.
If you are staying in the Sai Yok area, please arrange a taxi to Home Phutoey to match the shuttle schedule.
Advance booking is required. No walk-ins due to limited shuttle space and coordination.
Please arrive at Home Phutoey Resort at the following times:
- Morning Program – 8:45 AM
- Full Day Program – 9:45 AM
- Afternoon Program – 12:00 PM
Meeting Point
The meeting point for all tours is:
Home Phutoey Resort
- Afternoon Program: Begins here with lunch.
- Morning & Full Day Programs: We pick you up here by boat to cross the river.
Please arrive at Home Phutoey Resort at the following times:
- Morning Program – 8:45 AM
- Full Day Program – 9:45 AM
- Afternoon Program – 12:00 PM
If You Are Staying at a Serenata Resort (Our Partner Resorts)
If you are staying at one of the following resorts:
- Resotel River Kwai
- Hintok River Camp
- The FloatHouse River Kwai
- River Kwai Jungle Rafts
Please contact your hotel directly to arrange a boat transfer to the sanctuary.
Important Information About Boat Transfers
Different resorts arrange their own boat transportation to cross the river. Travel time may vary depending on which resort you are staying at and the boat schedule they provide.
Afternoon Program:
All guests must arrive directly at Home Phutoey Resort by 12:00 PM. This program always begins at Home Phutoey with lunch.
Morning Program & Full Day Program:
Guests staying at Serenata Resorts (Resotel River Kwai, Hintok River Camp, The FloatHouse River Kwai, River Kwai Jungle Rafts) may arrange boat transportation directly with their hotel.
- Morning Program: You must arrive at the sanctuary by 9:00 AM.
- Full Day Program: You must arrive at the sanctuary by 10:00 AM.
Please coordinate carefully with your hotel to ensure timely arrival. Late arrivals may not be able to join the program.
If you are staying at Home Phutoey Resort, this is already the meeting point and we will pick you up from there.
Pricing
- Full Day Program: 2,800 THB
- Half Day Program: 2,200 THB
- Children under 13 years: 500 THB
All programs include lunch and transportation from Home Phutoey.
Are You Accessible for All Fitness Levels?
A basic level of fitness is required.
There are short walks on steep and uneven terrain. For longer distances, transportation by vehicle (usually truck) is provided.
Can I come without a reservation?
Can I stay overnight?
Accommodation Information
We do not offer overnight stays at the sanctuary. However, we have partnered with the Serenata Group, which operates the following nearby resorts:
- Resotel River Kwai
- Hintok River Camp
- The FloatHouse River Kwai
- River Kwai Jungle Rafts
- Home Phutoey Resort
When booking, please use the booking code SLF25 so they know your reservation is connected to Somboon Legacy Foundation.
Why can’t we touch the elephants?
Elephants are wildlife – NOT entertainment.
A new and real change is needed – we will make a difference as a hands-off and elephant friendly sanctuary where elephants can simply be elephants. By not touching the elephants we create a peaceful and stress free environment.
We want to be an example of an ethical change in the wildlife tourism industry.
Beware of unknowingly participating in animal cruelty.
What is the difference between you and other sanctuaries
Many elephant experiences in Thailand still involve direct interaction, limited freedom, or activities designed around tourists. At Somboon Legacy Foundation, we follow a truly hands-off and ethical approach — always putting the elephants’ well-being first.
- No riding — elephants are never used for entertainment or labor.
- Fully hands-off experience — observe elephants naturally, without touching or disturbing them.
- Freedom to roam — elephants move, socialize, and rest on their own terms.
- Natural bathing — no forced bathing with tourists; elephants choose when and how to enter the water.
This means a more authentic experience for you — and a more respectful life for them.
How can we donate?
Click the link below and make a choice on how to support us.
Gofundme
Where can I read reviews about your foundation?
You can find our reviews on Google & Tripadvisor.
Can I deduct my donation from my taxes?
What should I bring with me/what should I wear?
What to wear:
Wear comfortable clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. We recommend wearing long pants (as you’re going to do banana/grass cutting) and closed shoes or sandals.
Don’t forget to bring sunscreen, mosquito repellent, a hat and a camera.
If you’d like to observe smaller wildlife such as birds, squirrels, etc. Bring your binoculars.
Is it possible to change the dates of my visit?
Can we swim in the river?
Unfortunately, it’s not possible to swim in the river because of the strong current. We have a swimming pool and a lot of other facilities which you can enjoy when you stay overnight.
Is the park a safe place for my family?
How can I get a local phone number?
What is there to do in Kanchanaburi?
Some of the attractions in the area recommend are:
Erawan Waterfalls
Mallika Retro City
The River Kwai Bridge
Lawa cave in Sai Yok National park:
If you are looking for a nice place to stay in Kanchanaburi before or after your visit to Somboon Legacy Foundation, we recommend VN guesthouse. They offer cheap, clean rooms and have an excellent restaurant with local and international dishes. (And they offer pancakes specially for children!)
What other elephant sanctuaries do you recommend?
In Thailand
- Chang Chill
- Following Giants
- BLES and BEES
In The US
- Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee
- Elephant Refuge North America
In the EU
- Elephant Haven European Elephant Sanctuary in France
Can I give a Somboon package as a present to my friends/family?
How can I know what elephant friendly tourism looks like?
How to recognize a truly elephant-friendly sanctuary
Not all places that call themselves “sanctuaries” or “rescue centers” are ethical. Here are a few key things to look for when choosing a responsible elephant experience:
Is touching allowed?
If you can touch, ride, or bathe an elephant, it likely means the animal has been trained through control or force.
Ethical sanctuaries follow a hands-off approach — observe, don’t touch.
Are elephants behaving naturally?
Elephants should spend their days roaming, socializing, and making their own choices — not performing or being directed for tourists.
Look for environments where elephants are free to simply be elephants.
Are there baby elephants?
While they may seem cute, baby elephants in tourist venues often indicate captive breeding.
Ethical sanctuaries do not breed elephants in captivity.
Are both elephants and people safe?
A safe distance between visitors and elephants allows natural behavior and reduces stress.
Respectful observation ensures safety for both animals and humans.
At Somboon, these principles guide everything we do.
What extra costs do I pay for children under 13-years-old?
Breakfast ฿ 120 = € 3,50
Lunch ฿ 200 = € 5,50
Extra bed ฿ 700 = € 19,00