Don’t Ride or Feed Elephants in Thailand
Ok; we have all seen it and most have thought that Riding and Feeding Elephants in Thailand would be a great experience.
Not to mention how many “Likes” your photo would get.
Unfortunately the torture that this placid animal has had to endure for your happy snap is unbearable.
It’s OK to not know this but hopefully this awareness post will make people aware that it is not a humane thing to do.
You think that Elephants are big so they can handle it better than a horse or camel. WRONG!!.
Not only are their backs not equipped to hold a couple of people but they are beaten when young to be trained.
Hopefully more education will be spread around as to Why You Shouldn’t Ride Elephants In Thailand.
Elephant Torture
If you head up top Big Buddha on Phuket you will see a small group of Elephants where you can stop and feed them for around 100 baht.
Isn’t this a great place to get a photo or video to show off to your friends??
Just have a look at the surroundings. The Elephants are confined on a 1 meter chain around their legs.
And all for you to give them a bit of food, so their keeper can make some baht.
Cruelty To Elephants
Just because it has been happening for years and years does not make it right.
A baby elephant is divided by its mother and kept in a small pen and tortured and beaten
This is how they are taught to be a placid animal so people can ride them or be around them.
The process is called Phajaan, or “the crush”.
This is where the baby elephant is kept in a cage like structure and beaten until it adheres to their masters wishes.
Whips and metal hooks (Bull Hooks)|are used to “Tame” the elephant. Drawing blood so they know that it is working
The workers then use these bull hooks on a daily basis to keep or scare the elephants into place.
More places are changing their ways around Thailand but it is up to you to stay clear from this barbaric torture.
Phuket and Chiang Mai Elephant Sanctuaries
There are however places in Thailand where they take in and save elephants that have endured these hard takings.
The main two elephant sanctuaries are in Phuket and Chiang Mai
Instead of Riding and Feeding Elephants in Thailand you can get up close and learn more about the elephants and help them take care of these giant but majestic animals.
It is called volunteering but you still have to pay for the pleasure.
It is still supporting the sanctuary, so it can stay functioning and you help in two ways.
The Elephant Park in Chiang Mai also help other animals like stray buffaloes, dogs and cats and many other animals that need help.
It also spreads the word that Thailand is a place where people do care about animals and is taking the next step forward.
If you would like to know more about the sanctuary please look at the below excursions.
Elephant Nature Park – Conservation Packages
Instead of Riding and Feeding Elephants in Thailand on the street or beach, check out the 1 and 2 Day packages they offer.
Elephant Sanctuary Tours
Phuket
http://tiny.cc/Half-Day-Elephant-Phuket
Chiang Mai
Full Day – http://tiny.cc/Full-Day-Elephant-Tour
3 Day – http://tiny.cc/Elephant-3Day-Chiang-Mai
Bangkok to Kanchanaburi
http://tiny.cc/Elephant-Kanchanaburi
Koh Samui
http://tiny.cc/Elephant-Koh-Samui
Krabi – Khao Lak
http://tiny.cc/Elephant-Krabi-Khao-Lak
A single person can change the world but like all journeys, it starts with the one step.
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