Alyssa Pallett, a Canadian national, was happily holidaying in southern Thailand until the COVID-19 pandemic. She decided to stay in Thailand until restrictions across the world were lifted. She rented a shared villa with others in the same situation, which just so happened to be next door to an elephant camp. Having read numerous articles, including some tragic reports about elephants in Thailand in the New York Times and BBC News and the overwhelming effect that the lack of tourism was having on both ethical sanctuaries and riding camps they wanted to make a difference.

Ao Nang Elephant Fund was created with housemate Charlotte Edwards out of the concern for the elephants that lived next door. Together, they began contacting local elephant camps to understand the situation. They were heartbroken to hear that many elephants had already been returned to their original homes in northern Thailand. With no money from the tourism dollar, the remaining elephants were at risk of starving to death. Charlotte Edwards, a single mother from the UK, decided to come to Thailand with her son Jaylen when the schools were closed due to COVID-19. They also found themselves in Ao Nang when the state of emergency was announced in Thailand.

Alyssa and Charlotte started a Go Fund Me page and began raising funds for their gentle trunked friends. Within a matter of days, they had collectively raised enough money to feed 27 elephants in six Ao Nang camps for several months.

Alyssa Pallett, a Canadian national, was happily holidaying in southern Thailand until the COVID-19 pandemic. She decided to stay in Thailand until restrictions across the world were lifted. She rented a shared villa with others in the same situation, which just so happened to be next door to an elephant camp. Having read numerous articles, including some tragic reports about elephants in Thailand in the New York Times and BBC News and the overwhelming effect that the lack of tourism was having on both ethical sanctuaries and riding camps they wanted to make a difference.

Ao Nang Elephant Fund was created with housemate Charlotte Edwards out of the concern for the elephants that lived next door. Together, they began contacting local elephant camps to understand the situation. They were heartbroken to hear that many elephants had already been returned to their original homes in northern Thailand. With no money from the tourism dollar, the remaining elephants were at risk of starving to death. Charlotte Edwards, a single mother from the UK, decided to come to Thailand with her son Jaylen when the schools were closed due to COVID-19. They also found themselves in Ao Nang when the state of emergency was announced in Thailand.

Alyssa and Charlotte started a Go Fund Me page and began raising funds for their gentle trunked friends. Within a matter of days, they had collectively raised enough money to feed 27 elephants in six Ao Nang camps for several months.

Maew Suriya, the founder of Samui Elephant Haven, has been overwhelmed with support from people around the world who have given to help them through these difficult times. From the bottom of his heart, he would like to say thank you.