OUR STORY
New Elephant Home is one of the most unique and dynamic elephant sanctuary projects in Chiang Mai, Thailand currently led by Chatchai “New” Srisiriwilai and their team, who represent the new generation of management. With the support of Lek Chailert, founder of Elephant Nature Park, and Save Elephant Foundation, they have been and are working tirelessly to give their 16 elephants a dignified life.
Chatchai “New” Srisiriwilai
The park was originally established in 2003 by Chokchai Srisiriwilai (New’s father), an entrepreneur from the ethnic Lahu minority group. Beginning with just one rai of land (roughly 0.4 acres) and five elephants, the business initially offered customers elephant riding tours. But with the support of his other tourist business, a long-neck Karen village, and the increasing number of customers, Chokchai bought more elephants and expanded the business to include elephant circus shows, river rafting, and even zip lining. At its peak, the park was welcoming roughly 500 customers every day. Throughout this time, Chokchai was approached by Lek to change its ways and stop its abusive treatment of the elephants. But afraid that he would lose all his customers, Chokchai long hesitated to do so.
Before the Covid-19 Pandemic
When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, the business managed to sustain itself for a year before it ran out of money. Fortunately, with the temporary support of foundations, they managed to feed the 16 elephants. It was in this drought of tourism that Chokchai finally decided to take the opportunity to transform his elephant entertainment model into a sanctuary model, bringing an end to elephant rides and circus shows. As Chokchai began this process of change with the support of Save Elephant Foundation, he unfortunately passed away from cancer. The elephants and the estate were left to a trustee of five people among whom three were voted to manage the business. One of them is Chokchai’s eldest son: Chatchai “New” Srisiriwilai.
After the Covid-19 Pandemic
Continuing the unfinished work his father left behind, New are and have been continuing to care for the 16 elephants and the ongoing transformation. It has been a very challenging process for everyone including some of the elephants that struggled to get over their old habits and the mahouts that were initially not cooperative. Though after many discussions about the vision of the sanctuary, we have come to a point where our elephants roam freely along the grass plain and valleys throughout the day. We still must use chains at night to ensure the safety of our elephants and our team but in the future, Chatchai plans to invest in more shelters so all his elephants can be chain-free. However, more money is needed for this important step.
Though the path forward will continue to be difficult, New, and their team are committed to continue caring for the elephants to their best of ability and give them the dignified life they deserve.
