The TECC acts as a centre for research and is at the forefront in treating sick elephants in Thailand. In addition to an on-site hospital, a mobile clinic and rescue unit treats elephants in distress free of charge wherever they may be in the kingdom. There is also a special area (the Pang La sanctuary) dedicated to looking after those elephants that are simply too old or have been badly injured and their former owners can no longer afford to keep them.