THE PROJECT
“BEES - Burm and Emily’s Elephant Sanctuary is a high welfare facility for retired elephants and small rescue animals. A safe haven where the animals can live out their days with love, respect and receive high quality care. We are pioneers in the hands off, observation-based approach putting elephant welfare at the forefront of all we do. By booking our program, not only are you helping directly to provide these amazing creatures with a happy, flappy and thriving retirement, you are also helping to support the rescue animals in our care at BEES and providing wages to all the wonderful care staff. This is a quality over quantity facility, we invite you to join us and immerse yourself in an authentic experience with the elephants, animals and community and leave with memories that will last a lifetime.”
- Burm and Emily, Our Founders
How it all began…
Burm and Emily’s Elephant Sanctuary was founded by Burm Pornchai Rinkaew and Emily Rose McWilliam in 2011 and has been a life changing experience.
Emily first travelled to Thailand as a teen in early 2009 where she experienced first-hand the appalling living conditions and hardships elephants experienced working in tourist camps. She was saddened seeing elephants forced to perform and take tourists on treks. Many places she visited she could see stereotyping elephants, deprived of their freedom, and stripped of their natural instincts, standing in their own defecation waiting around to cater for tourists. Emily made a promise to the elephants – she would personally do something about their plight.
During 2010 discussions about having an elephant rescue and retirement project began to become reality and at just 18 years of age Emily relocated to Mae Chaem where she co-founded BEES with her partner Burm, a native Thai, local to the area. Emily had completed her Certificate II and III in Captive Animal Management (3 years training, with Taronga Training Institute) in Sydney, Australia.
Burm studied Tourism at Rajabhat University and got his degree in 2007. He worked and studied at the same time during his university years as a Hotel Receptionist, a Waiter and Tour guide. He has many years of experience with Tourist communications and speaks fluent English. Burm is passionate about developing the surrounding community, he has travelled to Australia and believes that it has opened many opportunities for him. Learning the English language and seeing the developing outside world is a lot different to the village he grew up in and the life he had as a boy. He would love to share his knowledge and teach the kids English to give all the young minds of today a better tomorrow. His knowledge, experience and great sense of humour brings positive energy to the project. Burm grew up in Mae Chaem, an area that once had many captive elephants working as loggers in the forests, before moving onto Tourism.
Burm and Emily purchased their first piece of land in January of 2011 which links onto Burm’s Parents land, the village is home to many of Burm’s relatives. All accommodations have been constructed by Burm, his father and local village men. Building of the sanctuary has been a true community effort.
In 2016, Burm and Emily welcomed their first Son Leo, followed by their second Son Louis in 2021. Two young men in which they hope may one day want to take over the mission to help Elephants, Animals, and the Community.
About Our Elephant Sanctuary & Small Animal Rescue:
BEES – Burm and Emily’s Elephant Sanctuary is a safe, natural home for elephants to just BE elephants. A place for elephants to be rescued and retire too OR at times we open our doors to elephants that need rest/care with the hopes of being able to permanently live out their days in at the sanctuary in a natural environment free from exploitation and abuse. Allowing elephants the ability to BE elephants, to naturally forage, dust bath, roam, explore and socialize. BEES is a place where humans now work FOR them.
BEES also provides a home to many rescued cats and dogs and provides Domestic Animal Outreach within the local community, we run sterilization programs and provide care to local animals in need.
In November 2015, BEES ELEPHANT FOUNDATION was established to improve welfare for the elephants and animals in Thailand and to support Community based initiatives that work to meet the needs of the elephants, animals and the communities that live and work with them.
It would be a dream come to to build a fully functional animal hospital in the town of Mae Chaem to provide accessible medical care for the animals of the region when they get sick, injured and need help.
We work within the community running clean up days, education for kids days talking about many different aspects of elephant conservation, teach English once a week in the local school, have a community Christmas and give gifts to the village and often as part of our Visitor Program, help with irrigation, fire walling and clean ups after natural disasters in the local area.
Our Sanctuary provides 7 locals with full-time employment and many local villagers part-time employment in construction, electrical maintenance etc We support local businesses such as massage, snack shops, local handy crafts village, restaurants etc as well as buying fruit and vegetables from the local farmers to feed the elephants, often at times buying local farmers watermelons or pumpkins they aren’t able to sell – providing them with an extra income.
Seasonally we also grow some of our own crops on the sanctuary such as Thai Guava, Banana, Papaya, Basil, Morning Glory, basil and chilli to name a few.
We run a visitor program for travellers to see and experience elephants in a natural and safe environment free from exploitation and abuse. By joining us you’re directly helping these elephants to live a happy more natural life. This is a responsible and ethical program focused on giving back to the elephants after they have spent their lives working for humans.
Be The Change you want to see!
Allowing elephants to just BE elephants away from exploitation and abuse.
Meet the Team
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BURM
Burm is a BEES Founder and Director of BEES Elephant Foundation. He is passionate about helping others, creating a brighter future for the elephants, animals and the community. Burm is always working hard fixing things, planting trees and grass for the elephants and helping out in the community where he can.
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EMILY
Co-Founder of BEES and a Member of BEES Elephant Foundation Emily is passionate about supporting BEES and helping the Elephants, Animals and Community. Emily is usually looking after resident animals, taking care of sick animals or hand-raising kittens or puppies that come into BEES care.
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TY
Ty came to BEES as an intern in 2017 when she was studying English at University. A 2 week stint to go refill her hours of work experience for her studies turned into a full time job with BEES as a much loved Guide. Ty doesn’t only work as a guide, she helps with animal care, cooking, cleaning and helping with everything around the sanctuary. She has a smile that lights up every room and does everything she can to take care of our guests.
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EM
Em grew up in the village surrounding BEES. He was part of Burm and Emily’s English classes as a child and wanted to work with animals and foreigners. He completed highschool and went on to study animal nursing/aid with the Livestock department. After he completed his studies he came home to help at BEES take care of the Animals and became a Guide at BEES. He is funny, cheeky and great company to have in the forest. He will teach you all about the nature!
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ANER
Aner is our Head Elephant Caretaker and has been with Mae Kam for over 10 years. He is highly skilled, incredibly patient and very caring. He lives onsite with his family. His lovely wife Cherry works as an Elephant Grass Cutter and helps to clean the elephant night shelters/food preparation areas. They have 4 Children Ngae Ngae, Glaycee, Glaytu and Nong Whan. The 3 youngest are still in school. When the Children are not in school they like to help at the Sanctuary.
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AI WA
Ai Wa joined us in late 2024 under a 3 month probation and training period, to learn about how to work with the retired elephants at BEES. He became a full-time Elephant Caretaker for Mae Dok in early 2025 because he is very kind and Mae Dok was smitten. He moved his beautiful family here shortly after. His Wife Susu joined the Team to work as an Elephant Grass cutter and to help clean the elephant night shelters / food preparation area. And their 3 beautiful children Kuwa, Mochi and Lala who are now going to the local school where they can now get a good education. When not at school the children love to help at the Sanctuary.
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WEVE
Weve is from our local village and has been working with BEES since he finished High School. He was also part of the first young kids in the village to join BEES English programs in the early days.
He is a wonderful helper, though he can be a little shy, but works very hard to ensure that all the tasks get done. He is always ready to get into action.
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GOH
Goh is a very impressive young man, he has been through a lot on his young life but still finds a way to remain positive and work hard. Goh lost both of his parents and his grandfather before he turned 16. He is now the man of the house and looks after his grandma in the village. Goh has been a helper of BEES since he was just a little 1 year old and became full time member of the team at age 14. Goh is an inspiring young man, always ready to lend a helping hand. He has a strong work ethic and when something is broken Goh will do everything he can to find a way to fix.
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CHERRY
Cherry is an Elephant Grass Cutter and helps to clean the night shelters and elephant food preparation area. She is Aner’s wife, a mumma to 4 beautiful children and also helps take care of 4 of the Sanctuary dogs and 1 Cat who decided to take up residency right outside her home.
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SUSU
Susu is an Elephant Grass Cutter and helps to clean the night shelters and elephant food preparation area. She is Ai Wa’s wife, a mumma to 4 beautiful children and also helps take care of 4 of the Sanctuary dogs and 1 Cat who decided to take up residency right outside her home.
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JOY
Joy is our superstar ‘everything’ helper, from making elephant food supplements - to cooking meals - to house keeping - to maintaining our small office and helping with paperwork for the Sanctuary and Foundation. Joy is an absolute star and helps keep the wheels turning. Joy was also part of the early day English classes and comes from the local village. She completed high school and has spent the last few years studying Business and doing courses online.
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LABANG
Labang is our amazing cook and housekeeper. She is our neighbor, coming from right next door to BEES everyday and makes the most delicious meals for humans and the rescue doggies to enjoy. Labang also helps when needed to go out and do elephant grass cutting and helps when the whole team is needed for big jobs like cementing, planting trees or big clean ups after storms.
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TAN
Tan is our transport Driver for guests and for elephant food collections. He is Burm’s brother and a big hit for his funny personality when he talks with guests. Tan was a Sports teacher for many years, but came home to work with BEES and be closer to the family again. Tan lives on adjoining land to the Sanctuary with his wife Auoi and Son Tiger.
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GLAYCEE
Glaycee is Aner’s Son (Mae Kam’s Caretaker). He got a scholarship to study at the Rajaprajanugroh 31 School in Mae Chaem, he spends the school term boarding at the school and comes back home to the Sanctuary to help every chance he gets holidays. Glaycee is a great young man, he works hard and loves to play guitar. When he is home he is helping with everything from helping take guests out into the forest, planting trees or helping fix fences or in construction.
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MUU
Muu is currently in High School but comes to help out at the Sanctuary after school, on the weekends and during school holidays. Muu is from the local village where he lives with his Grandparents, his cousin Ice and brother Flook who both like to help out at BEES when they can.
Future Projects
Building a Better Future for Elephants, Animals and People
🐘 Retiring More Elephants
“Every elephant deserves to live free from exploitation and just BE Elephants.”
We’re working to rescue and retire more elephants from hard labor and captivity — giving them the freedom, safety, and care they deserve. Join us in making retirement a reality for more elephants.
🌳 Expanding Land for Elephants
“More space, more freedom to roam and forage.”
Our goal is to secure and restore additional acres of land — so elephants can roam, forage, and live as they were meant to. Help us grow their home.
🏥 Building an Animal Hospital
“Healing starts here.”
A dedicated animal hospital will provide advanced care for injured and sick elephants — and other animals in need. Your support helps us bring expert veterinary care to the heart of the Maechaem and one day we hope to have full-time veterinarians in the region providing outreach daily.
📚 Empowering Local Communities
“Education. Opportunity. Change.”
We believe conservation begins with community. From educational programs to skill development initiatives, we’re investing in people who protect and coexist with elephants, the environment and a sustainable future. Together, we create lasting change.
💛 Join Us
Be part of a movement that restores dignity, freedom, and hope — for elephants and for local communities.
