The BLES Family

  • Katherine Connor

    Founder and Manager

    Katherine has been pioneering ethical elephant management methods for more than twenty years. Internationally recognized as one of the world’s leading authorities on captive elephant welfare, she has travelled extensively, sharing her knowledge and expertise.

  • Kru Sing

    Assistant Manager

    Kru Sing’s elephant journey started in 2019 when one of our old bulls, Mr Moo collapsed. Through his unshakable determination, compassion and drive, Kru Sing played a pivotol role in nursing Mr Moo back to health. He continues to inspire others with his empathy and passion for improving animal welfare standards throughout Thailand.

  • Boo Kham

    Driver and Project Manager

    Boo Kham has been a central part of The BLES Family since it’s founding in 2007. Having grown up around elephants, Boo Kham has a lifetime of experience and an in depth knowledge of cative elephant care.

  • Lune Boon Choo

    Head Mahout and mahout of Lotus

    Lune Boon Choo is our oldest and wisest mahout here at BLES and is a founding member of The BLES Family. Born to a family of elephant handles, Lune Boon Choo is one the most experienced mahouts in northern Thailand and is highly respected by his peers.

  • Boo Long

    Mahout of Mare Noi

    Boo Long has proved to be an integral member of our team for more than ten years now. He has an impressive history of elephant management and has handled some of the most dangerous elephants the province of Sukhothai has ever seen.

  • Boo Dum

    Mahout of Nwon

    Boo Dum was born into a family of elephant handlers and has more than fifty years experience. He is renowned in the elephant world for his calming influence and pro active approach to compassionate bull management.

  • Boo Loy

    Mahout of Wassana

    Boo Loy has been with BLES from it’s inception and has continued to wow the world with his gentleness and ability to successfully walk sick and elderly elephants through recovery.

  • Boo Beh

    Mahout of Pang Dow

    After working as a construction worker at BLES for several years, Boo Beh realized his life’s calling and became an official mahout. He has been a constant support and reliable friend to all of our rescued elephants, for eleven years now.

  • Boo Duery

    Mahout of Pang Noi

    Boo Duery has been working with BLES for 14 years now and has consistently been a source of reliability and compassion. He also has a passion for dogs!

  • Nu

    Mahout of Boon Ma

    Nong Nu has not only grown up around elephants - he has grown up at BLES! Nong Nu spent his childhood learning about elephants from his father, Boo Sot, who was a founding member of BLES and sadly passed away in 2022. Nong Nu adds vision and stability to the BLES Team.

  • Boo Gwang

    Mahout of Pang Suai

    Boo Gwang has been working with BLES for over ten years. His strength lies in managing elephants with behavioural issues.

  • Boo Lang

    Mahout of Dok Lak

    Boo Lang is much loved member of The BLES Family and has an impressive history with elephants. He loves to sing and enjoys making friends with our guests.

  • Nong Gun

    Mahout of Mare Ladee

    Nong Gun is our youngest mahout here at BLES. Having spent a majority of his childhood with the BLES Family, Nong Gun realized his deep affinity with elephants at a very young age. He was so eager to work at BLES, he started sweeping the paths voluntarily, until a paid position became available.

  • Nong Golf

    Mahout of Lom

    Nong Golf is the newest member of the BLES Team and joins us with passion, enthusiasm and an obvious love of elephants.

  • Ba Long

    Head of Housekeeping

    For 14 years, Ba Long has been the backbone of the BLES Family. Her love of dogs, cats and children shines from within and she is also an amazing plant based cook too!

  • Ba Bwon

    Chief Cook

    Ba Bwon is famous for her brilliant smile and incredible vegan cooking! She has been a central part of the BLES Family for 15 years now!

  • Ba Lyn

    Housekeeper

    Ba Lyn is one of the hardest working people we have ever known! She has been a source of strength to the BLES family for more than 13 years and is like a grandmother to the BLES children.

  • Nong Fern

    Small Animal Caregiver

    Nong Fern has been improving the lives of all the rescued dogs and cats at BLES, eversince she left school. Having always been an avid animal lover, Nong Fern became a part of the BLES Family as soon as she finished school.

  • Nong Mem

    First Aid Officer

    Nong Mem is a qualified nurse and is always on call should any emergency arise. She is also a passionate animal lover!

  • Ba Nwon

    Housekeeper

    Ba Nwon has been keeping BLES spic and span ever since it’s founding in 2007. She has an indepth knowledge of all things BLES as well as elephants, having spent her childhood around them.

  • Boo Sot

    The Eternal Father of BLES

    Boo Sot was one of the founding members of the BLES Family and a driving force. His unwavering passion for life was contagious and he was famously known for his dedication to the welfare of not just elephants, but dogs, cats and children. He always played an active role in every elephant rescue and helped many of our rescues heal from their traumatic pasts.

    Boo Sot has left a legacy of love behind him and we are all honored to keep it alive.

    He was a friend to everyone who was lucky enough to meet him.

  • Anon

    Visionary

    Anon was one of the greatest mahouts of our generation and was regarded as a pioneer for compassionate captive bull management.

    Often called a true elephant whisperer, Anon helped create BLES to provide retirement for the elephants and mahouts in his local village, determined to keep his rich culture of elephants alive.

    Anon’s spirit continues to surround the BLES Family and guide them onwards in their mission to create a more compassionate world for elephants.