The Elephant Issue

[Tyfon]

Just heard an article on BBC radio about the elephants in Bangkok.
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Thai officials thought at first it was because of poverty and unemployment in the country where elephant usage is declining because of mechanization. However they come to Bangkok because it is extremely lucrative business. The mahouds can make 1000-2000 Baht/night selling sugar cane and bananas to tourists to feed the elephants, many times what they would earn working in the country. The majority of this money does not however go to the mahoud, but to syndicates who rent the elephants out to them (not unlike the tuk-tuks, most of which are rented).

There are government initiatives to deter the trade - what they call the "Elephant Issue". A Thai minister said it was run by Mafia - the definition of mafia being locally organized crime and corruption rather than the Italian/American international organizations.
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Personally I don't mind them. Occasionally they will block my way, but that goes for any of the nigh time traders that crowd Sukhumvit's foot-ways. I saw a passing farang, in a hurry and a bad mood already by the look of him, react badly to being groped by one elephant trunk as he tried to get by: much shouting and swearing in both directions, but no real harm. I think they're a little sad, like any captive animal in an urban environment; the organized crime link may be a worry but physically they don't trouble me.

On reflection I've never seen any elephant droppings in BKK, so at least the mahouds seem to be fastidious in cleaning up after themselves (which is more than can be said for the Household Cavalry or London Police mounties...)

[The Real Sledge]

Originally Posted by Tyfon

On reflection I've never seen any elephant droppings in BKK, so at least the mahouds seem to be fastidious in cleaning up after themselves (which is more than can be said for the Household Cavalry or London Police mounties...)

I have seen loads. But it is cleaned up straight away. The best one was when the fully grown bull dropped a steaming load and it filled 2 carrier bags. The dude looked pissed off.

[Crustasian]

At least here in Phuket the elephants have the forest to tramp through.There is a Vets service that does regular checks on the animals to make sure thay are being well looked after.

[fun2have]

have been told all elephants in work are registered and a tax is paid on them, cant remember the age but on obtaining the age of retirement, they are returned to either chiang mai or surin, depending on the results of the DNA tests, so they can be reunited with their familys at the refuges.

i hope its true cause i love those elephants, but never give to the beggar elephants in bkk.

[Elvis30]

I enjoy the elaphants and think its very unique in a city the size of bkk.

[stevem]

This isnt a new issue, I remember hearing about it maybe 7 to 8 years ago.

[jimholio]

Originally Posted by Elvis30

I enjoy the elaphants and think its very unique in a city the size of bkk.

I think the elephants disagree's with you. Poor animals imo. Having to walk around there with the dense trafic and heavy pollution.

[syeatman]

Originally Posted by Elvis30

I enjoy the elaphants and think its very unique in a city the size of bkk.

That's ridiculous! Do elephants naturally occur in a city

Take all the poor sods back to the jungle and while you're at it take them bloody lizards from Bangla too, disgusting.

Oh, and those Eagles from the viewpoint too while I'm at it, the only place to see wildlife is in the wild!!

[Tyfon]

Originally Posted by syeatman

That's ridiculous! Do elephants naturally occur in a city

Take all the poor sods back to the jungle and while you're at it take them bloody lizards from Bangla too, disgusting.

Oh, and those Eagles from the viewpoint too while I'm at it, the only place to see wildlife is in the wild!!

You forgot Farangs, they don't naturally occur in BKK or Phuket....