Went to Lopburi once. Vowed never to return due to monkeys trying to snatch everything. Same for Khao Takiab in Prachuap Khiri Khan.
Waited while some friends took an elephant ride and didn't notice animal cruelty first-hand, but domesticating wild animals is clearly not a good idea (I am not counting dogs and cats etc., as that ship has sailed)
The problem is, Thailand is so dependent on tourism for GDP that the uneducated majority are willing to use elephants as an attraction without really being aware of, or caring about, the problems they cause. Money is king.