The Mahouts

The bond between humans and elephants — built on trust, not control.

A Mahout is more than a caretaker.

It’s a lifelong relationship between human and elephant.

At Somboon, this relationship is evolving — moving away from control and toward trust.

A Different Approach

Traditionally, mahouts were trained to control elephants — often through dominance and fear.

At Somboon, we follow a different path.
Our mahouts build trust through patience, presence, and daily care.

Mahouts walk alongside the elephants, observe their behavior, and ensure their wellbeing.

Daily Life

There are no performances.
No hooks.
No forced interaction.

In some situations, you may see a mahout sitting on an elephant.

This is not a tourist activity, nor is it done for entertainment.
It is only used when necessary — for safety, guidance, or medical care.

There are no saddles, no weight pressure, and no forced interaction.

The wellbeing of the elephant always comes first.

“The goal is not to control the elephant,
but to understand her.”

Many mahouts come from traditional backgrounds where control was the norm.

At Somboon, we work together to unlearn those practices and build a new relationship based on trust.

This is a process — one that takes time, patience, and commitment

The role of a mahout can shape an elephant’s entire life.

By changing this relationship, we are helping create a more ethical future —
for both elephants and the people who care for them.