Thai Khoon
Thai Khoon
Born 1961 | Female | Laos
Thai Khoon, now in her 60s, has endured a lifetime of hardship. Like so many elephants in Laos, she spent decades in the logging industry, pulling heavy trees day after day. When she grew older and could no longer meet the demands of the job, she was sold into the tourism industry, where she carried a heavy wooden saddle on her back, waiting for tourists to take rides.
In February 2024, despite her age, Thai Khoon was sent to an elephant festival, forced to give rides in the scorching sun. Amidst the crowds, loud music, and over 60 other elephants, she stood motionless—a shell of her former self. Exhausted and defeated, she seemed to have lost all hope.
It was there that our founder, Lek, spotted her. Seeing the toll her past had taken, she knew Thai Khoon needed help. Determined to give her a second chance, Lek spoke with her owner, carefully persuading him to let Thai Khoon go. The very next day, she was brought to our sanctuary, where she will spend the rest of her life free from work, surrounded by care and kindness.
Thai Khoon’s journey to healing has just begun, and with your support, she can continue to thrive. Foster her today and be part of her new chapter.
