Somboon’s life began in the wilderness, surrounded by her family and the sounds of the forest.
But before she was old enough to understand the world, her freedom was stolen.
She was taken from her home and forced into a life of work that would last for eighty long years. At first, she was made to help in the logging industry, hauling heavy loads through heat and rain.
Later, she was moved into the tourism trade, where her days were spent carrying visitors on her back for hours at a time.
There were no breaks, no soft ground to rest on, and no moments of peace. Every sunrise meant another day of labor.
A Lifetime of Labor Comes to an End
Over the decades, her body grew tired, but the work never stopped.
Standing on her feet from morning until night became her reality. She learned to endure silently, her spirit weighed down by exhaustion.
Then came the day that the Save Elephant Foundation learned of her story.
To them, Somboon wasn’t just another elephant in need — she was a grandmother who had already given more than any living being should.
They knew they had to act. Plans were made to remove her from the place she had known her whole life and take her somewhere she could finally rest.
For the first time in decades, there was hope.
Her First Steps Into Freedom
In January, that hope became reality.
A rescue team arrived, prepared to transport Somboon to her new home — a sanctuary called Elephant Nature Park.
The journey was long, but at the end of it waited a place filled with open spaces, gentle caretakers, and soft ground beneath her feet.
When she stepped out and looked around, she seemed to understand that her life had just changed forever.
Her appearance told the story of her struggles. She was thin, her ribs showing beneath her skin.
Many of her teeth were gone, and her body bore the signs of a lifetime of hard work. Her skin was dry and cracked from years without proper care.
But her eyes were gentle, as if they recognized kindness when they saw it. Many elephants who arrive at the sanctuary take weeks before they feel safe enough to lie down and rest.
Somboon did not hesitate. She walked directly to a freshly prepared sand pile, lowered her aching body, and closed her eyes.
Surrounded by the quiet hum of life at the sanctuary, she fell into a deep, peaceful sleep — the kind she had been denied for most of her life.
Her rescuers watched in silence, some with tears in their eyes.
This simple act — lying down — was more than just rest. It was the first step in reclaiming a life that had been taken from her so long ago. For Somboon, the soft ground was not just comfort. It was freedom.
Learning to Live Again
When she awoke the next morning, her body felt the toll of her long years.
The strain of standing for decades had weakened her muscles, and she found it difficult to get up. Immediately, her caregivers rushed to help, lifting her gently until she was steady on her feet.
They have stayed close ever since, making sure she receives the care she needs to grow stronger.
Now, her days are no longer measured by labor. Instead, they are filled with small joys. She enjoys fresh, nourishing meals prepared to suit her needs.
She walks at her own pace, feeling the earth beneath her without the weight of a load on her back. Her skin is slowly healing thanks to regular baths in cool, soothing mud.
Every splash, every bite of food, and every step taken without fear is a reminder that she is finally living for herself.
The path ahead will still require time and patience. Her body must heal, and her spirit must learn to trust that this peace will last.
But each passing day at the sanctuary brings her closer to the life she was always meant to have — a life free from chains, from endless work, and from the shadow of exploitation. For Somboon, the fight is over.
She has found a home where love replaces labor, where rest replaces exhaustion, and where the remainder of her days will be lived in dignity.
For those who rescued her, seeing her settle in is the greatest reward. And for Somboon, every moment is a new beginning — a gentle reminder that, even after eighty years of hardship, it is never too late to finally be free.