Get to know these
GENTLE GIANTS
KRABI
Lao Thong Chaba
Thai Name
English Name
Gender
Age
Features
Rescue Date
Prior Life
Likes / Dislikes
Lao Thong Chaba
Golden Spear
Female
41, As at 2023
Short back legs
25th December 2023
Tourism and logging
Loves food
Lao Thong Chaba’s life has been marked by hardship. Working in the tourism industry before being forced to haul heavy logs. This gruelling work has taken its toll on her body, the constant pressure on her underdeveloped legs likely caused her immense pain. Poor nutrition has caused damage to her teeth, resulting in an inability to chew her food adequately. Her mahout supports her with this, spending hours grinding food supplements each day. She is now free to enjoy a new life but the transition hasn’t been easy. Chaba struggles with trust and she has found it difficult to bond with the herd, but we hope her mahout will give her the confidence to find friendship.
Thong Aek
Thai Name
English Name
Gender
Age
Features
Rescue Date
Prior Life
Likes / Dislikes
Thong Aek
The best
Male
46, As at 2024
Short tusks & broken spine
24th February 2024
Riding and logging
Likes his mahout
Thong Aek’s life has been a struggle, he arrived at the sanctuary with harsh evidence of his past. His tusks were cut short, a reminder of the ivory trade, and a nasty abscess on his front right leg, a painful consequence of an injury working in the logging industry. He has visual and mental scars from his time as a riding elephant, like many elephants, Thong Aek suffered a broken vertebra from the constant weight and pressure on his backbones. This injury may continue to cause discomfort, but with our care, we hope he will live a full and happy life.
Dao Rueng
Thai Name
English Name
Gender
Age
Features
Rescue Date
Prior Life
Likes / Dislikes
Dao Rueng
Marigold
Female
28, As at 2024
Slim and Tall
4th May 2024
Riding and entertaining
Likes fruits / Dislikes Lound noise
Introducing Dao Rueng, a gentle soul from Surin, whose journey reflects both resilience and grace. She once worked tirelessly in an elephant riding camp until her back began to ache, leaving her visibly agitated by any weight upon it. Transitioning to a role as a parade show elephant only compounded her distress, as loud noises triggered her fear and discomfort amidst the festive atmosphere. Thankfully, Dao Rueng's story takes a turn for the better as she finds her new home. Here, she is cared for and has her freedom of choice, allowing her to retire early and embrace a life of tranquility. Now, liberated from the demands of her past, Dao Rueng's daily routine revolves around being herself and indulging in the activities that bring her genuine happiness.
Jahn Lek
Thai Name
English Name
Gender
Age
Features
Rescue Date
Prior Life
Likes / Dislikes
Jahn Lek
Little Moon
Female
49, As at 2024
Almond shaped eyes
24th October 2024
Logging and tourism
Likes fruit / Dislikes loud noises
Her life has been a testament to endurance, having endured years of gruelling work in logging, which eventually led to a severe hip injury leaving her unable to walk for a year. Here at Following Giants she shines as our own Little Moon, bringing a calm presence to those around her. The team and fellow elephants adore her for her kind and friendly spirit. Jahn Lek loves bonding with the other elephants, especially Mongkoln. Though she is calm and content, she tends to retreat for a l-o-n-g quiet walk when she hears the sound of an engine or any loud noises
Somboon
Thai Name
English Name
Gender
Age
Features
Rescue Date
Prior Life
Likes / Dislikes
Somboon
Abundance
Female
65 - As at 2024
Freckles around neck
30 November 2024
Logging & tourism
Likes - Sago Palm
Dislikes - Cars, loud noises
At 65 years old, Somboon has finally found peace after a life filled with hardship. Her journey began in the logging industry where years of hauling heavy loads left her rear legs weakened and blinded her left eye. Later, she moved to a riding camp where carrying tourists proved equally gruelling for her fragile body. Her time at an elephant bathing camp brought her some relief, but she was forced to do activities that she did not enjoy, longing for the quiet and personal space she so deeply values. Now, Somboon is thriving in a peaceful retirement tailored to her needs. She spends her days roaming freely, enjoying the company of her trusted mahout, and savouring her favourite treat, Sago Palm. Though loud noises still unsettle her, Somboon finds happiness in the tranquility she has long deserved, A true symbol of resilience, she reminds us of the importance of compassion and care for all living beings.
Mae Jahn / Moon
Thai Name
English Name
Gender
Age
Features
Rescue Date
Prior Life
Likes / Dislikes
​
Mae Jahn
Moon
Female
55, As at 2025
​Sunken head, pink ears & trunk
8th April 2025
Logging and riding
Dao Rueng & Pineapple
Moon has laboured as both a riding and logging elephant, moving from camp to camp across Southern Thailand. Her working day involved carrying tourists on her back before then being led into a pool, where she was forced to walk with them through the water – adding further stress to her already weary body. Despite her arduous past, Moon possesses a truly gentle soul. When we first encountered her working in the logging forests, a precious moment offered a glimpse of the playful spirit within. After a long day, she enjoyed an unrestrained swim, a moment of pure relaxation that shone through and one our team will never forget. Here at our sanctuary, she has formed beautiful bonds with Dao Rueng and Thong Aek. She is embracing her newfound freedom & her life simply being an elephant.
Lin Jee / Lychee
Thai Name
English Name
Gender
Age
Features
Rescue Date
Prior Life
Likes / Dislikes
​
Lin Jee
Lychee
Female
40 - As at 2025
Freckles around neck
19 May 2025
Riding and logging
Likes - Food
​
For 40 long years, Lychee knew only a life of arduous labour, a common fate for many captive elephants in Thailand. Her existence was a relentless cycle, split between the demanding logging industry and, more recently, a tourist riding camp. Seven days a week, year-round, she carried tourists or stood chained, awaiting her next customer, never knowing the true freedom of simply being an elephant.
She's now found her forever home at our sanctuary, where she's finally experiencing the peace she so rightly deserves. Understandably, her new surroundings and the presence of other elephants initially made her apprehensive. However, she's slowly but surely learning to adapt to her newfound freedom.
Lychee has already formed a heartwarming bond with two of our residents: Peanut, our youngest at eight years old, and Jahn Lek, one of our smallest and most mild-mannered elephants. We are hopeful that, with time, Lychee will not only relish the abundant supply of leaves and trees but also fully embrace life with the rest of our herd, finally experiencing the joyous existence she was always meant to have.
Patty / Pateemore
Malay Name
English Name
Gender
Age
Features
Rescue Date
Prior Life
Likes / Dislikes
​
Pateemore
Patty
Female
41, As at 2025
Blind in right eye
21st July 2025
Logging and riding
Likes fruit
For decades, Patty endured a life of hardship in the logging industry, forced to pull heavy logs seven days a week. At other times, her life was a different kind of burden, as she was used as a parade elephant or even at parties, her gentle nature exploited for entertainment. Her past has taken its toll, leaving a permanent mark in the form of a lost right eye from a logging injury.
Patty never really knew what it meant to have a stable, happy life, but that's all changing now. She's finally learning to be an elephant and not a work animal. Though she's only been with us for a short time, her remarkable spirit is shining through. She's already proven to be sociable and inquisitive, making friends with many of the elephants in her new home. We have no doubt that soon she'll find her new best friend and build bonds that will last a lifetime.
Sri Prae / Silk
Thai Name
English Name
Gender
Age
Features
Rescue Date
Prior Life
Likes / Dislikes
​
Sri Prae
Silk
Female
35, as at 2025
Pink spotty ears
30th August 2025
Riding and parades
Likes - mud baths
For Silk, as for many captive elephants, life was a constant struggle, marked by the gruelling demands of the riding industry. Her routine was a relentless cycle, seven days a week, all year round. Now, her working days are over. At our sanctuary, she gets to spend her time not only free from work but in the company of Lychee, an elephant she worked alongside at a riding camp. Lychee was rescued in May 2025, becoming the first of the two girls to join our sanctuary. Together, they are now adjusting to their new lives and routines, with Silk taking particular delight in very playful mud baths.
