Animals have long been revered in Thailand’s culture and classic beliefs, and they have come to represent the nation. They have made significant contributions to the nation by using their strength and intelligence for a variety of tasks, such as war, transportation, and supporting large labor.
Elephants were generally used as beasts of burden to transport heavy timber out of the forest, primarily because of their remarkable capacity to move through dense jungles where perhaps modern machinery was constrained.
But, the government outlawed checking in 1989 in response to worries about deforestation. As elephants were introduced as entertainers to the hospitality and leisure industry, this move signaled a significant change for them.
The World Animal Protection ( WAP ) organization estimates that there are 4, 000 elephants in captivity in Thailand’s conventional and commercialized elephant camps as of 2021, and that number is rising as a result of breeding.
to remain considerate of elephants
According to the WAP, the majority of elephant kept in captivity in the tents are used for pleasure and subjected to mental and physical abuse. The jumbos have little contact with their herd, little room, and inadequate diet because they live in subpar happiness conditions.
They were created to live in a social society, just like individuals. They also have their own community. Hatai Limprayoonyong, a campaign manager for animals at the WAP in Thailand, said that in order to bring one elephant to teach in the camps, they must be separated from their cattle.
Some elephant tents struggle financially, which results in a lack of quality care. She told the Bangkok Post that the typical remedy for the lack of visitors is to gain rented elephants to their native owners and bring them back when tourists return.
Elephants are treated like commodities by the entire pattern, but in reality, they are a part of the wildlife, said Ms. Hatai, emphasizing the need to address elephants with respect rather than for our amusement.
The organization promotes moving to facilities that are more accommodating to elephants. Animals are to remain in their natural condition without engaging in activities like riding and bathing, as these can be dangerous to tourists and difficult for the animals. This is in accordance with the WAP’s elephant-friendly guidelines.
” We are never elephant professionals.” It will be risky for the tourists if we bathe them and they do everything but we think they’re happy and keep doing it, she said.
The WAP presented a case for supporting the conversion of about 15 neighborhood elephant tents to elephant-friendly locations in 2017. Chang Chill in Chiang Mai, which received assistance with economic and guidance, is one transitional success.
It took the organization six months to rebuild the system with standards that are elephant-friendly, she said, adding that” Transformation is no one-night magic.”
Visitors are now only permitted to safely watch elephants at Chang Chill. For the protection and well-being of both animals and humans, demanding activities like riding, bathing, and direct contact with people have been outlawed.
According to the rules that stop the number of enthralled animals from rising, violent practices like breeding and training are strictly forbidden.
Taking advantage of the rules
With the help of other non-governmental organizations( NGOs ), government employees, and other individuals, the WAP drafted a bill in early 2022.
The goal was to put an end to industrial breeding, violent training techniques, and the ban on elephant capture.
But regrettably, legislature was disbanded at the beginning of this month. Therefore, Ms. Hatai stated that her second task is to collaborate with the new administration to adopt or advocate for this bill, which she believes will transform the welfare and standard of captive elephants in Thailand.
Animals are divided into two categories according to Thai laws: wild and domesticated.
The latter is covered by the Beast of Burden Act, which allows for private equity and creates gaps that make captive elephant vulnerable to domestic abuse. According to her, export is one of the gaps and happens for a variety of factors, including claims that it is done for educational purposes and to advance diplomatic ties.
According to Ms. Hatai, using occurs during the exportation process. The capture elephants are subjected to harsh training prior to the sourcing stage, which makes them behave differently than they would normally.
Some elephants are at significant risk of dying during the exportation process. Since the elephants’ condition is typically unfamiliar, the lack of government checking poses a worrying situation for those who survive. As a result, she said, NGOs frequently bear the responsibility of monitoring and ensuring the welfare of these animals.
action is required
To decrease the number of elephants in the industry, the WAP is calling for an end to industrial elephant mating. Additionally, she stated that the organization aims to facilitate procedures for enhancing the security of imprisoned elephants at the locations where they are held.
She continued by saying that in order to dispel myths about elephants’ intelligence and driven performances, knowledge sharing about the heinous acts committed in commercial settings should be encouraged.
” We think animals belong in the wild ,” Ms. Hatai continued. We want all the animals that are currently being held captive to be the last generation so that the period of imprisonment comes to an end.
Members of the World Animal Protection movement urge congress to end elephant abuse.