Warning: Don't feed Bangkok elephants
Source: Agencies |
July 13, 2010, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
YOU can still feed elephants in Bangkok, Thailand - but it could cost you.
Bangkok authorities said yesterday anyone caught handing bunches of bananas or sugar cane to the hulking beasts - proffered by their handlers in a ruse to make money - faces a US$320 (10,000 baht) fine.
Thailand has about 2,400 domestic elephants. There is little demand these days for the animals' traditional skills in logging and other labor, so owners sometimes loan them out for begging in major cities.
"The ordinance is issued to prevent untidiness or danger toward properties and lives of Bangkok residents," said Manit Techa-apichoke, deputy director of the City Law Enforcement Department, adding there had been cases of elephants hurting people and falling into drains.
Friends of the Asian Elephant, a Thai non-government group which cares for injured or mistreated elephants, called the fines a good start.
"I've been asking for them to do this for 15 years," said its founder, Soraida Salwalla, adding that she hoped other cities would follow. "It's not a total solution, but it's a help."
Previously, mahouts - as elephant handlers are known - and their accomplices were fined for bringing an elephant into Bangkok, but those feeding the animal escaped punishment. Typically a tourist would pay 20 baht for the privilege of handing a bunch of fruit or vegetables into the elephant's trunk.
Manit said those caught feeding the animals would be fined, though they may get slapped with a warning first.
Bangkok authorities said yesterday anyone caught handing bunches of bananas or sugar cane to the hulking beasts - proffered by their handlers in a ruse to make money - faces a US$320 (10,000 baht) fine.
Thailand has about 2,400 domestic elephants. There is little demand these days for the animals' traditional skills in logging and other labor, so owners sometimes loan them out for begging in major cities.
"The ordinance is issued to prevent untidiness or danger toward properties and lives of Bangkok residents," said Manit Techa-apichoke, deputy director of the City Law Enforcement Department, adding there had been cases of elephants hurting people and falling into drains.
Friends of the Asian Elephant, a Thai non-government group which cares for injured or mistreated elephants, called the fines a good start.
"I've been asking for them to do this for 15 years," said its founder, Soraida Salwalla, adding that she hoped other cities would follow. "It's not a total solution, but it's a help."
Previously, mahouts - as elephant handlers are known - and their accomplices were fined for bringing an elephant into Bangkok, but those feeding the animal escaped punishment. Typically a tourist would pay 20 baht for the privilege of handing a bunch of fruit or vegetables into the elephant's trunk.
Manit said those caught feeding the animals would be fined, though they may get slapped with a warning first.
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