Why You Shouldn’t Ride Elephants In Thailand

Elephant Phajaan, or “the crush”

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.

 

Not Good To ride An elephant 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.

 

Riding and Feeding Elephants in Thailand

 

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.

 

Elephant Bullhook

 

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.

 

Volunteer at Elephant Park

 

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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