A New Year’s Elephant Rescue
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by
scott
Reuniting Nam Phueng & Thung Thong
On 28 December 2025, Save Elephant Foundation welcomed a young elephant named Nam Phueng to our sanctuary—marking the end of a long and difficult chapter in her life, and the beginning of a journey toward freedom.
Nam Phueng is a 19-year-old female elephant. From the age of five, she was taken from place to place across Thailand, working as a street-begging elephant, then later being used in elephant riding in Ayutthaya before joining the Gentle Giants Elephant Stay Home Project. For more than a decade, her life was shaped by hard labor, confinement, and uncertainty.
When her owner reached out to Save Elephant Foundation for help, she explained that family illness and financial hardship had made it impossible to continue caring for Nam Phueng. Despite many offers to buy her, she refused—determined to find the best possible home, where Nam Phueng could live freely and peacefully.
Thanks to the support of Gentle Giants and all the supporters and friends who helped fund her rescue and transport, Nam Phueng was finally on her way to a new life of freedom. But on the day of her rescue, it became clear that she was not alone.
Nam Phueng has a lifelong companion named Thung Thong. The two elephants grew up together, worked side by side, and shared a bond forged through years of hardship. As Nam Phueng was gently coaxed onto the rescue truck, Thung Thong struggled against her chains, calling out desperately to her friend.
Lek Chailert witnessed the moment firsthand. “On the day we helped Nam Phueng onto the rescue truck, Thung Thong let out a heart-breaking cry. Her legs were bound, and the pain and desperation in her eyes were unforgettable. That moment pierced my heart, and I knew we could never leave her behind.”
During the long overnight journey from Surin Province to the sanctuary in Mae Taeng, Chiang Mai Province, Nam Phueng was understandably anxious, but she was still able to spray herself with water and eat cucumbers and banana leaves along the way.
After her arrival, Nam Phueng began her quarantine period – enjoying a dust bath and lots of fruit treats. Just one week later, she experienced a simple joy — her first swim at the sanctuary. Watching her relax in the water was a powerful reminder of how quickly healing can begin when freedom is restored.
Meanwhile, the Save Elephant Foundation team worked tirelessly to secure all the permits and legal documents needed to rescue Thung Thong and bring her to freedom as well.
On 6 January 2026, as the New Year unfolded, Thung Thong’s journey began. “Today, we’re on our way to rescue Thung Thong. Her journey to freedom begins now.” — Lek Chailert
After more than 20 hours on the road, Thung Thong continued her journey toward safety, showing clear signs of deep emotional trauma. Throughout the drive, she shook her head constantly—her anxious eyes and restless movements revealing the heavy emotional toll of her past, requiring the team to drive slowly and stop often so she could rest. Every mile forward was guided by patience, care, and a deep commitment to her well-being.
“From this day forward, we promise: She will never be alone again. She will receive the care, kindness, and patience she needs to heal. She will be loved. Please keep Thung Thong in your heart as she begins her healing journey.” — Lek Chailert
Soon, Nam Phueng and Thung Thong will be reunited—two soulmates finally able to live side by side again, not in chains, but in peace, dignity, and love. Their story is a powerful reminder of why every rescue matters, and of the importance of preserving the bonds between elephant friends.
Nam Pheung and Thung Thong’s Reunion
On January 7, 2026, after more than 22 hours of travel, Thung Thong arrived at the sanctuary and stepped down from the truck without restraints. She hesitated, uncertain, and wandered quietly, too shy to touch the food prepared for her — a familiar response in elephants raised under human control, where waiting for instruction becomes second nature.
Then she saw Nam Phueng. The recognition was immediate. There were no dramatic calls, only gentle touches and low rumbles as the two stood close, reconnecting after time apart. In that moment, Thung Thong’s agitation eased. Her movements slowed. The anxious shaking stopped. Within hours, the pair were relaxed enough to begin playing — a simple, unmistakable sign of safety and trust returning.
“This is the power of love. A love that heals. A bond that remembers. A reunion that we were blessed to witness.” — Lek Chailert
Now reunited, Nam Phueng and Thung Thong have the chance to live together with dignity and freedom. Thank you to everyone who made these rescues and this beautiful reunion possible.
