Baan Mama, ethical sanctuary on the Kwai River

Baan Mama is a refuge for elderly, ill or exhausted elephants, located 12 km southwest of Kanchanaburi, on the banks of the Kwai River. The sanctuary is home to four residents rescued from traditional tourist camps and operates on a no-riding approach: visitors participate in care and feeding while observing the animals in their environment.

Why stay at Baan Mama

The sanctuary was founded by Brigitte, a Belgian who has lived in Thailand since 2012. She first ran a restaurant on Koh Samui, the former Bario Latino renamed Mama Pizza because her customers were already calling her "Mama". In 2015, a volunteer placement offer at an elephant center changed her trajectory. She sold her restaurant in 2016, made several trips between Belgium and Thailand, then settled permanently in 2017. Confronted with dysfunctions at the center where she worked, she decided to establish her own operation: an online crowdfunding campaign, supplemented by her personal savings, allowed Baan Mama to open on December 1st, 2018.

The project is unique because it is run by a single person, in direct partnership with mahouts who own the elephants. No staging, no performances: the priority is the physical and behavioral recovery of the animals.

The sanctuary's four elephants

Tao

Tao arrived first in late 2018 and weighs approximately 2.6 tonnes. When she entered the refuge, she was thin, distrustful of humans and fearful of water. After several months of patient care, she now bathes in the Kwai River. Her main mahout is Ti, assisted by Win during his days off.

Tami and Douille Douille

Tami (21 years old, 3.2 tonnes) and Douille Douille (24 years old, 3.6 tonnes) belong to Pan, brother of Chai. Pan inherited the two animals from his father and repaid their acquisition by working. In February 2020, faced with the sudden closure of camps due to the pandemic, he entrusted both elephants to Brigitte. Pan remains Tami's mahout, while Chai looks after Douille Douille.

Chuchai

Chuchai is the son of Tami, born in February 2021 at the sanctuary. Tami arrived at Baan Mama while pregnant. Her half-brother Chiang Rai, also born to Tami, was sold to a temple in March 2021, as Pan felt the burden of caring for multiple adults and a newborn was too great.

Daily life and activities

Days revolve around the elephants: preparing food, cutting banana plants, observing and swimming fully clothed in the Kwai River alongside the animals. Participation is hands-on and physical—bring clothes you don't mind getting dirty.

Meals are served buffet-style: Thai, European and Burmese dishes. Water, coffee and tea are included with meals; soft drinks, beers, cocktails and milkshakes are extra. Please inform staff of any allergies upon arrival. WiFi is available in the restaurant.

What to pack before your stay:

• Clothes that can get dirty, lightweight trousers or long shorts, t-shirt, water-appropriate shoes
• Waterproof clothing from May to October (rainy season)
• Sunscreen, insect repellent, hat, glasses with a retention cord
• Sufficient Thai baht in cash: the sanctuary accepts only this payment method and no ATMs are accessible nearby

Location and access

Address: 224, Moo 2, Ko Samrong, 71000 Kanchanaburi. Allow approximately 15 to 20 minutes' drive from Kanchanaburi bus station. For accommodation and volunteer packages, Baan Mama arranges a transfer from the bus station in late afternoon (meeting point in front of Café Amazon) and a return shuttle on departure morning. The Discovery package offers a same-day round trip. Exact times are communicated at booking.

What to see around Baan Mama

The Kanchanaburi region boasts several historical and natural sites easily combined with a stay at the sanctuary:

• The Bridge over the River Kwai and the Thailand-Burma Railway Museum, a memorial to the World War II railway
• The Jeath Wat Tai Museum, dedicated to allied prisoners of war
• The Kwai Yaï and Kwai Noï rivers, which meet near the city
• Several temples: Wat Yuan, Wat Tham Sua, Wat Tham Khao Noi, Wat Ban Tham, Wat Chai Chumpon

To extend your itinerary, you can then head to Bangkok and its characterful accommodation Shanghai Mansion, or explore the Mae Klong delta with Asita Eco Resort.

Build your trip

A stay at Baan Mama fits naturally into a journey through central Thailand, between Bangkok, Kanchanaburi and the Burmese border. Our advisors can tailor it to your Thailand itinerary.