A Cultural Icon That Thailand Abandoned: Editorial

[webfact]

EDITORIAL
A cultural icon that Thailand abandoned
The Nation

Once a sacred national symbol, the elephant is facing possible extinction due to human greed

BANGKOK: -- Thai Elephant Day on Wednesday was celebrated as the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) conference takes place in Bangkok.

In spite of the current worldwide attention on Thai elephants, these magnificent creatures still face an uncertain future.

The elephant is supposed to be considered a sacred animal in this country. As a result, the government announced the first Thai Elephant Day 15 years ago, to raise awareness of the elephants' plight, especially with the amount of natural forest area declining so rapidly and the resultant decline in wild populations. With the loss of natural habitat and work opportunities, many captive elephants are now taken by their mahouts to wander around cities, begging for food. Other elephants, even less fortunate, are killed by poachers for their ivory. All of this is threatening the future of an animal that has been considered synonymous with the kingdom.

Through the ages, elephants have been almost inseparable from the traditional way of life of Thai people. When Thais co-existed with nature, elephants were used as a means of transport and to haul logs, thus contributing to human prosperity. The elephant was considered a noble animal, and a "warrior animal". In times of war, only the commanders were entitled to ride one into battle. The elephant is a part of our culture. At one time, the national flag bore a white elephant on a maroon field.

Thailand should be the most active nation in the campaign to protect elephants. We have every reason to be, but unfortunately this is not the case. Far from it: the reality shows the opposite.

Thailand - which is supposed to be an exemplary model for others in terms of elephant protection - is at the centre of the illegal trade in live elephants and products derived from elephants, especially ivory. It is even reported that African elephants are illegally imported here.

Outdated legislation on the elephant trade even allows for the trade in "pet" elephants. Loopholes in the law simply encourage the illegal smuggling of elephants into Thailand.

It is no exaggeration to say that elephants are facing extinction, with so many being killed to satisfy the world's appetite for ivory. The newly wealthy middle classes in emerging economies such as Thailand and China use ivory for decorative items because they believe that ivory brings good luck. Such superstition is utter nonsense.

In the past, Thais did not kill elephants just to get the tusks, because they believed such a wrongful way to get ivory would instead bring back luck. Nowadays poachers use tranquillisers to sedate the elephant and then sever the tusks, often in a sloppy manner. The elephant might not die immediately, but its wounds are so terrible that they become infected, leading to a slow and painful death.

Whenever news breaks about an elephant found with its tusks removed and left in critical condition, there is strong sympathy from the public, and cries for a clampdown on poaching and new laws to protect elephants. But public sympathy alone will do nothing to improve the situation.

Most of the ivory sold on the market today is illegally obtained. Outdated laws even allow for certain types of trade in elephants and elephant products. Thus, it is often difficult to prove whether an elephant has been smuggled or ivory was procured and sold legally.

Compounding the problem is the fact that - typically in developing countries - the laws, no matter how lax, are not enforced. In many cases the authorities themselves are involved in the smuggling of wild animals or ivory. It is a tempting business, with huge sums of money to be made on the black market.

Ultimately the issue comes down to education, awareness and conscience. If there were no demand, there would be no supply. The government must launch a serious campaign to make the public aware of the value and importance of elephants, and a new law must be enacted for their protection, with severe penalties for those who violate it.

If this does not happen, the supply of new ivory will cease anyway, whether that brings good luck or bad.

-- The Nation 2013-03-15

[NongKhaiKid]

Thais love elephants but they love the tusks even more

[fareastguy]

Quote:

The newly wealthy middle classes in emerging economies such as Thailand and China use ivory for decorative items because they believe that ivory brings good luck. Such superstition is utter nonsense.

This excuse for trading in ivory is the biggest load of "<deleted>" I've ever heard !!

The only thing China & Thailand believe in is that it brings in wealth, pure & simple.

It has xxxx all to do with good luck.

If the Thai government was serious about the fate of the elephant & it's so called love affair with the animal it would ban all trade in ivory, or even fake plastic goods that represent ivory (just to close all loopholes) close all ivory outlets and ban the movement of all products through the country & across it's borders !!

As to the question of "it will just drive it underground"..

Any one found on Thai territory with any ivory or fake ivory product goes to jail for a very long time.. end of subject !!

Edited March 15, 2013 by metisdead

[Locationthailand]

Thai's, Chinese Thai's, and Chinese, all superstitious and believe it is okay to kill indiscriminately whether rhino, tiger or elephant for their beliefs. Make the law severe enough to stop the poachers or it will simply continue. We all know about the 'education' aspect, but that won't happen. Ignorance is bliss.

Edited March 15, 2013 by Locationthailand

[bigbamboo]

The Thais don't deserve the elephants. They are too good for them.

[FarangTalk]

Money the driving factor as per.

Over time, these wonderful creatures will disappear, as greed and expansion destroys the environment and countries they live in.

[Radar501]

Meet 'SANOOK', Melbourne Zoo's latest arrival. Such a beautiful name for a baby Thai elephant.

Sanook was born in captivity, and will probably never experience freedom in his life.

At least he is safe and secure.

[Mitker]

Once again, a situation where the authorities behave like a spectator.

No action.

[cooked]

http://www.boundingoveroursteps.com/surin-elephant-roundup-behind-the-scenes/

is worth reading. The video accompanying it is horrific.

[Halion]

Just another example of the rampant greed, hypocracy and indiference that florishes in this culture.

[GaiUan]

Ivory trade.... Finally they found their hub, and an undisputed one...

[Fookhaht]

I thought a 99% Buddhist country would show more respect to nature and animals.

[Moruya]

_{Money, money and more money comes way above morals, religion, education, modern farming etc.............}

Edited March 15, 2013 by metisdead
: Large font resized to normal.

[chainarong]

It disappoints me to find that people can be so cruel to this beautiful animal

[hookedondhamma]

I thought a 99% Buddhist country would show more respect to nature and animals.

Appearances are just that - appearances. Don't look too far into it or you may be disappointed. Same as Buddhism here - for the few that practice rightly it is stable, but for the many who tale it on as a label it is just that - a label. Edited March 15, 2013 by hookedondhamma

[noitom]

Thais can be proud of their "love" for elephants in watching this Surin roundup video, breaking one of their "loved ones."

[circusman]

Thais can be proud of their "love" for elephants in watching this Surin roundup video, breaking one of their "loved ones."

I was present at the breaking of several elephants unfortunately. They are poked and prodded and walked on until they no longer have the strength or will to resist. I have been told some that refuse to be broken simply go insane.

This is one reason I avoid elephant shows.

Edited March 15, 2013 by metisdead
: Large font reset to normal.

[dighambara]

Quote:

The newly wealthy middle classes in emerging economies such as Thailand and China use ivory for decorative items because they believe that ivory brings good luck. Such superstition is utter nonsense.

This excuse for trading in ivory is the biggest load of "<deleted>" I've ever heard !!

The only thing China & Thailand believe in is that it brings in wealth, pure & simple.

It has <deleted> all to do with good luck.

If the Thai government was serious about the fate of the elephant & it's so called love affair with the animal it would ban all trade in ivory, or even fake plastic goods that represent ivory (just to close all loopholes) close all ivory outlets and ban the movement of all products through the country & across it's borders !!

As to the question of "it will just drive it underground"..

Any one found on Thai territory with any ivory or fake ivory product goes to jail for a very long time.. end of subject !!

Such thinking immediately makes thousands of innocent people into criminals. Fake Ivory is everywhere; in jewelry, telephones, cars, shoes and much more. To make it illegal for posession of man made plastic objects is tatamount to insanity.

Edited March 15, 2013 by dighambara

[Lite Beer]

Thai authorities urged to find those responsible for brutal elephant killing in Kaeng Krachan

BANGKOK, 15 March 2013 (NNT) – The government has urged the police to speedily apprehend those responsible for the brutal killing of an elephant in Kaeng Krachan National Park.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra revealed, on Thursday, that the Governor of Petchaburi, the Kaeng Krachan National Park Chief and the police have provided the latest update on the investigation into the recent killing of a pregnant elephant, whose calf was believed to have been taken away by poachers.

The investigating team has confirmed that more clues related to the identities of the suspects have already been obtained, said the PM.

Ms. Yingluck stated she has instructed all involved to bring those responsible for the brutal slaying to justice as soon as possible while urging the national park authorities to be more vigilant on the movement of park visitors.

The PM also conceded that related laws will need to be reviewed to make them more stringent and concerned authorities must be more alert about possible involvement of influential figures or state officers in all illegal activities in the national park areas.

In addition, the Prime Minister said the government is planning to introduce a certification for each elephant in the future in order to help keep track of each pachyderm while reiterating the government’s determination to clamp down on illegal ivory trade in the country.

-- NNT 2013-03-15

[bender92]

Thai's, Chinese Thai's, and Chinese, all superstitious and believe it is okay to kill indiscriminately whether rhino, tiger or elephant for their beliefs. Make the law severe enough to stop the poachers or it will simply continue. We all know about the 'education' aspect, but that won't happen. Ignorance is bliss.

I agree the poachers should be punished, but in cases like this and the protected wood and drug shipments, it is the little guy who gets caught and the real bosses never get named.

[me313]

If Thai children suddenly grew ivory tusks due to some environmental poisoning that the activists have been getting killed for, then I think a lot of children would be sold for their ivory which would be "harvested" for profit, then the local temple would get a little more money in offerings for prosperity.

[belg]

how much is a tusk worth ?

how much does it cost to feed an elephant before it can be harvested ?

economics anyone ?

can they just not cut off the whole thing and let the animal live ?

[Pimay1]

how much is a tusk worth ?

how much does it cost to feed an elephant before it can be harvested ?

economics anyone ?

can they just not cut off the whole thing and let the animal live ?

Yuthasak the former defence minister also stated in his assets statement that he has six pairs of ivory tusks worth Bt600,000.

Could have been purchased from Science Minister Plod when he was in charge of the CM Night Safari. The six elephants probably died of old age.

[khaowong1]

_{Money, money and more money comes way above morals, religion, education, modern farming etc.............}

This is the whole story..

[PoodMaiDai]

I thought a 99% Buddhist country would show more respect to nature and animals.

Considering only maybe 1% of them are true Buddhist and actually follow the teachings of the Buddha, it is not surprising.

Being Buddhist is more than going to the temple for reasons you don't understand, giving food to monks, and placing religious objects in your room. However, 99% don't understand this or can tell you much of anything about what the Buddha actually taught. They only give so they can have good back to them. Most are as far from being a real Buddhist as they come.

Ask any of your Thai friends about the Four Noble Truths or the Nobel Eightfold Path and they will look at you like you're from the moon. Heck, just ask them where Buddha is from. I bet half of them don't even know that.

Edited March 15, 2013 by PoodMaiDai